Fourth of July

On the morning of July 4, 2000, Bailey arose to her third day in her new home just across the river from the District of Columbia, barely a mile upstream from the Washington Monument, where they light one of the largest fireworks shows in the world. She was excited to see me, and even more so to romp after Fred, who dashed to safety after a warning spit and hiss failed to deter the unwanted addition to his home. She had no idea of the turmoil that would soon explode the night like nothing she had yet experienced in any of the 60 nights that had come before. But I did know what would come, and I was determined to turn it into a positive experience that would not cause her to shrink and shake every Fourth of July to follow. It was time to get something out of all that advanced psychology training!

During the day of the Fourth, I introduced Bailey to a new game—I would make a sudden, loud sound and she would get a treat. She caught on to getting the treat very quickly, as dogs do, so I soon began making the sounds louder and more startling. A couple of shakes and concerned looks, but these lasted no longer than the fraction of a second it took to get the treat to her mouth. After a few repetitions of the game throughout the day, she came running to me with excitement whenever she heard a loud noise. She was ready for the real test.

That night, I stayed home for the 4^th of July for the first time in many years. With Bailey asleep in my lap, I watched the concert on PBS, not for any real interest in the concert, but because I knew that when it reached the final song, the fireworks would start. I then muted the sound on the TV and listened carefully, giving Bailey a couple of freebie treats to get her primed and to capture her attention. The first firework came almost instantly followed by a treat, cheers and an excited look on Bailey’s face as she waited expectantly for another treat. Then the next blast, the next treat, the next cheer and the next yelp of excitement. And then another, and another and with increasing speed, another and another. And when the finale came and the blasts were too rapid to separate into distinct stimulus-response sequences, Bailey pranced with great excitement and glee as she knew the pace of treats would also increase—and they did. The fireworks ended not with a trembling pup frightened by the startling sounds in a still strange environment, but by a happy and excited Bailey who raced around the room and showered me with kisses between each lap (also by an unhappy Fred lying on top of the TV looking down with disgust and contempt at the overly enthusiastic intruder).

Along with numerous planned outings to loud events with lots of commotion, similar early games left Bailey nearly impervious to startling noises. She never feared fireworks or thunder or the demolition of a a large chunk of roof and an exterior wall (thankfully followed by the construction of an incredible new kitchen and deck). For years, Bailey either stayed home on Independence Day without incident, or came with me to get a closer view of the fireworks. And while she did develop a still not fully explained reaction to wind, Bailey never feared thunder and lightening. These were never problems… until she got old.

Last year, it was too hot to bring Bailey for the short walk up to Meridian Hill where I watched the fireworks with a friend. For the first time, Bailey must have become frightened by the noises. When we returned home, we found her trembling in the guest room in which she had somehow managed to become trapped. Since then, Bailey has also become less than fond of thunder. Perhaps it is because of a change in her hearing, or her reduced eyesight or just a slowing in processing and responding to stimuli. In any event, my dog who used to have almost no startle response, now becomes fearful very easily. And while she can barely hear me call her name, she does hear and reacts to loud, percussive sounds.

So tonight Bailey and I will spend what will almost surely be our last Fourth of July together, much like we did our first Fourth—at home with plenty of treats and even more love.

I hope you have a great Fourth with sky's filled with dazzling fireworks. Even more, I hope your Fourth is as special as I know mine will be.