Happy Fourth of July!

Whether you look with some cynicism on this day we celebrate the birth of our nation--this nation that is among the last developed nations to embrace capital punishment, that ranks 37th in a World Health Organization ranking of health care systems (below Columbia and Malta), 

this nation where we are actually still debating whether the use of birth control is acceptable, where the inexorable rightward shift of the past few decades has got us carrying guns in national parks and allowing unprecedented amounts of corporate money to flow toward whichever political candidate pledges to most generously reward the investment--

or whether you see something still to celebrate in America's vast open spaces that enjoy at least some degree of protection, in the highly politicized Supreme Court's upholding of Obamacare, which represents a small step toward the health care sanity that prevails in most other industrialized nations, in the growing number of Americans who are waking up to the scientific consensus that global warming is upon us,

enjoy your day off! Use the day to celebrate with friends, enjoy some healthy, rich, all-American barbecued tempeh or fried tofu in peanut sauce, and give your pups some extra love and a safe place to ride out the explosions. 

If your dog is afraid of fireworks, take a look at the helpful suggestions at fearfuldogs.com for getting through the day. Remember, there is no harm in comforting a scared dog. If your dog is afraid of loud noises, make sure she has a safe, comforting space where she can be while the fireworks go on. Try using a Thundershirt or anxiety wrap, some TTouch, and ask her for tricks and other enjoyable behaviors if she is calm enough to do them. 

And if you are one of those most patriotic of Americans who believes that constructive dissent is at the very foundation of our country, don't be afraid to show your independence by rocking the boat a bit!