@PsiCop:

CT is just no fun at all! I really have to move, blowing up a piece of my country durning it's birthday is my right, darn it!

OMG that made me LOL. I just about fell out of my chair!

@I Love New Jersey: 39 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico according to you are hicks. very nice.

@I Love New Jersey: You're probably the backwards hick not researching and just shouting out some random comments, so to answer your question:

[consumerist.com]

accidents happen, thats why we have insurance and fire departments

what ifs and maybes are NO REASON to limit freedoms...

but sadly fear mongers like you make it happen

To hell with that as well, I'll take my dog, give him a beer ( which he likes), feed him some Philly Cheessteak and let him watch the fireworks. What kind of frakanackle bull is this? I'm not leaving my dog anywhere.

@u1itn0w2day: You really don't know what you are talking about. Humans have been working with dogs for hundreds years in aiding and helping with different tasks. The dogs usually love what they do and have a natural instinct to do it (herding dogs, hunting dogs and so on). Also, you need to read the book "White Fang" and "The Call of The Wild" both these books cemented my love of dogs and how amazing their physical capabilities are. Sled dogs have a massive capability for miles and miles of pulling a sled and a sled driver who wants the best from their dogs knows that pushing them too hard will injure them and not get the best performance from them. A dog will give everything it has for its master and a wise master will keep the dog on the razor edge of peak performance without developing over-use injuries.

There's a reason fireworks are banned where I live, and it's not because anyone gives a crap if you choose to blow your own house up. It's because it only takes one drunk dumbass with a Roman candle to render many other people dead or homeless.

I imagined the dog's face as it stared into its assumed doomsday and laughed a little. Too cute.

@I Love New Jersey: States that know that statistically there are fewer injuries when fireworks are legal.

Um... I understand that you wouldn't want to set them loose on a whole bag or anything.. but why couldn't a dog eat potato chips?

My cats love potato sticks.. if they eat 2 or 3 is that a big deal?

@BZMedia: I do NOT work for PETA . Nor does it matter what agenda I have if any . If you disagree you can respond or ignore . Since the topic/Consumer Reports article is about some misnomers on the treatment of dogs that's what I posted on .

After working IN a city where the junkie ghettos,middle class and college neighborhoods all converged I got to see in detail how people treat their dogs . I've seen the junkies & others tie up their dogs on a few feet of leash and leave them outside without food,water or shelter in garbage & poo . That stuff you see on those animal rescue shows I saw in person for years daily if not weekly . I got to see the colleges kids & others do stuff like bike,roller blade and/or run many of which were DRAGGING their dog along in the name of vanity(way too much tension on those leashes) . I get offended when I hear some of excuses & rationalizations people give on the treatment of their dog . Especially after having one for over a dozen years and have family members who have only taken in rescue dogs/cats for decades .

And if did not make myself clear it is the distance running of the dogs that probably does the most damage . I am not saying do not run or excercise your dog - there are distinct differences . Nor did I day keep your dog in cocoon or live 24/7 with your dog although since they depend on humans ALOT you at should least be thinking about that .

And as far noting the repetative motion injuries I used that to show the consequences of something like distance running which is exactly that; a repetative motion . Most humans who exercise or do repetative work don't know or understand the consequences of what they are doing . That's part of the reason they THINK NOTHING of dragging their dog along .

" I know... " - Yeah you know how many times have I heard that before . Hope your love for the dogs has more umpth than your knowledge .

but he LOVES to run...when we lived in a town without a leash law I'd set him loose in a field and watch him run in circles forever. now he only gets to sprint with me while he's on a leash :(

usually it's not "i must take poochie or it's the end of the world" but "if i'm going to be gone most of the day, why not bring the dog since it's good exercise"

Sure dogs can develop arthritis and other problems. People do too. That doesn't change the fact that dogs are companion animals and they enjoy activity with their owners, not objects to be chained up in the back yard their entire lives. That activity may slow down or be eliminated altogether as age takes its toll, but keeping your dog locked in your house at all times to shield him from the world or any possible negative effect is just ridiculous and cruel. You wouldn't prevent your children from participating would you? It's entirely possible that they may get hurt out there you know.

My dogs also enjoy swimming in the ocean. Sure they may be eaten by a shark. I may be eaten by a shark too. There's jellyfish and urchins, barracudas and all kinds of stuff out there. There are lots of nasty things that can be encountered on a hike in the woods too. Poison mushrooms, centipedes, snakes, cougars, bears, thorns.... the list is long. What exactly is it that you propose? Never leave the house and keep myself and the dogs on a steady diet of tofu and tv? Get real.

I don't need to discuss my dog's training routine with him to know when he's enjoying something and when he's not. Why? Because I know my dogs. They didn't just show up at the door this morning out of the blue.

As far as my "luck" running out, my dogs are living a full life. I rescued them from the shelter where they were on death row. There is no luck involved. Discipline, caring, and responsibility is what it takes to be a dog owner. Not pamphlets on repetitive motion and paranoia.

Onething with fireworks or ANY loud noise . You have to remember that a dog's hearing is so much better than a humans . If noises are loud to humans what the heck do you think it is for dogs . You might even be putting the dog in pain or damaging it's hearing .

Most humans are too stupid to realize the affects of noises from power tools ,fireworks,mufferless cars or even loud music on themselves let alone a dog . If you are ' used ' to loud noises there's a chance you have already damaged or lost hearing . Same for a dog . People confuse an excited dog as happy when in fact they are reacting to the noise and activitiy around them . I forget the decibel rating but even a human's adreneline glands are tripped after hearing a certain volume noise . That's why a lot of people like loud music -their adreneline glands are tripping .

In other words driving to the fireworks with your dog in tow with the car radio blasting is almost as bad as the booms and bangs that will follow .

We had a Cocker who ran like a pup chasing a ball til around 11/12 . Known people with Labs and German Shepards who developed severe authuritis BY 8 . You can even see it their joints as you can a human . RMIs don't show up right away but their effects can be devestating when they hit .

And just like humans it can only take one injury and their ' athletic career ' will never be the same .

5 1/2 years isn't that old for a dog but check those same x rays a couple of years from now and I doubt you see the same conditions . And for that matter there's alot of crap that doesn't clearly show up on x-rays for humans . Point being unless you discuss your dog's " training routine " with the dog you'll never know what really ales them.

As far as running on treadmill perhaps they can't figure how to get off and are running out of frieght/adreneline( along with things like speed and smell I'm sure the ability to ignore pain or pump adreneline when in pursuit of prey far exceeds that of a human )- most humans have trouble getting off a moving treadmill . And again the repetive motion of running on a treadmill or even a bike & eliptical can catch up to humans: the main advantage with machines is they low impact but it still doesn't eliminate the repetative motion problems especially if your stride/form is even slightly off
- And by the way who sets the speed ...

It's not just the runners/bikers that screw their dogs health it's the show people as well . I've seen some of these frisbee chasing dogs who spin their bodies and land in fashion that is not good for their bodies . Saw a lady on America's Got Talent last week and I couldn't help but feel for that dog . A dog might be designed to leap on their prey straight ahead but leap , twist and grap at the sametime from height mid air ... I don't think so .

Hope your luck doesn't run out for the dogs's sake .

Most dogs aren't frightened of fireworks or storms -- only about 20% of dogs are. We have four and only one is afraid of fireworks/thunderstorms. Of all the dogs we've had and fostered, he's the only one we've ever had that was afraid. I have one dog who is just generally anxious about everything, but he is fine with fireworks and storms. While the one that is afraid of fireworks and storms (and airplanes) is the the calmest, most stoic dog we've ever owned.

Don't assume that because your dog is a confident sort that he will be okay with fireworks. Make sure he will be comfortable before you head out to a show -- even a dog that tolerates a few neighborhood fireworks might be freaked out by an apocalyptic, large scale show. Otherwise, if your dog is friendly, and not noise sensitive, and you're going to a venue where dogs are allowed, then a fireworks show is absolutely fine.

I've also put them on a treadmill here when it's been lousy weather out. They'll run on that thing for 30 minutes easy. Also cruel? They're doing it on their own with no leash attached. They can jump off any time they want.

So, I don't know what your perspective is based on, but mine is based on living with dogs for 42 years. My dogs are healthy and happy. And I don't take them out for the purpose of "oh look at me I have a dog".

@I Love New Jersey:

"And what sort of backwards hick states would have legal fireworks?"

States that don't have chemical dumps that might blow up from an errorant bottle rocket?

@BZMedia: WALKING on concrete or black top will accomplish the same thing as running . Keeping the dogs nails trimmed is important especially since humans decided to domesticate them but they do not have to run distance to accomplish that .

And a dog being able to out run a human at shorter distances is a matter of speed not aerobic capacity . A dogs anerobic capacity is used for speed and quickness .That is what they are designed to do - stalk prey slowly getting as close as possible then dash after the prey for the kill/meal . A chase for a kill might last a few minutes but not a straight out race 30 minute race/paw chase .

As far as dogs paws adapting to concrete as does a humans for the most part you get is callousing . What sort of adaptation do the dogs joints and bone structure get ? Does the cartilidge regenerate ? Running a dog like human is basically setting them up for RMSs(repetative motion injury ) as many humans get . Big dogs already are inclined to get aurthuritis and running them young or old makes that even more likely .

There's a big difference between walking dogs & taking them to a field to play fetch at shorter distances as compared to the prolonged repetative motions of distance running . And even though a human's barefoot may adapt I doubt very much a 200 pd human foot would adapt or provide the same benefit as a 120 pd human running barefoot not they are really benefiting or not causing permanent damage .

And yes you can leave your dog off a lease while you run or bike by leaving it a home while you do your workout .

Not always true. Running or walking your dog on concrete helps keep their toenails worn down to acceptable levels. A dog that runs and walks regularly will not need to endure the painful toenail trimmings.

"They are not marathoners nor do they necessarily have the same aerobic capacitiy as humans"

Sorry, but I have yet to see a human outrun a dog.

"If the dogs tung is hanging he's over heating ."

It's 'tongue', and that's not necessarily true either. Dogs pant and hang their tongues when they are excited also. Mine do it every time we go somewhere in my truck, from the minute they know they get to go with until after we come back, and it has nothing to do with them being overheated.

"I also can't stand butt holes that ride a bike dragging their dog in tow like a slave for sale ."

So you'd prefer them to be loose and running into traffic? Leash laws exist for a reason.

"How would you like it if someone made you run in barefeet on concrete and blacktop ?"

Dogs paw pads are tougher than you think. And human feet can be conditioned to take it too. I was barefoot for 6 years on Maui. Concrete, hot sand, etc. Anywhere I went I was barefoot. But if you went there on vacation and tried the same thing, you wouldn't last an hour. Why? My feet were conditioned to it, yours are not. Same situation for a dog. He's used to being barefoot.

All dogs are not created equal.

not having the freedom to burn yourself, is not having freedom

I can see the fireworks , dogs having way better hearing than you and I hear those booms and bangs in different manner . It probably sounds like a lion or something coming after them .

Thunder bothers most dogs as well . I had a dog who scooch up,under or near a person during a thunder storm as in protect me please .

One of the things Consumer Reports missed was the butt wads than run with their dogs on concrete and black top without the running shoes/protection the runner has . Running with their dog is nothing more than to draw attention to themselves -"oh look at me I have a dog".

Another thing these butt plugs have to realize most dogs and many other 4 legged animals are designed to run in bursts to catch their prey and that's it . They are not marathoners nor do they necessarily have the same aerobic capacitiy as humans . If the dogs tung is hanging he's over heating . I also can't stand butt holes that ride a bike dragging their dog in tow like a slave for sale .

Again one of the big things is lack of protection for the dogs paws . These butt plugs that run on concrete and black top FAIL to realize or recognize that the dogs paws are not protected . If their running shoes wear out they buy a new pair if the dogs paws wear out... How would you like it if someone made you run in barefeet on concrete and blacktop ?

@I Love New Jersey:

Here, even "punk" (which used to be sold as insect repellent in the Fifties) is banned as "fireworks". Oddly, you can still buy it legally, as long as it is sold as "incense sticks."

(and then put potato chips on their nose and wait for the gulls)

But the list of what you cannot have is very long. No firecrackers, cherry-bombs, bottle-rockets, Roman candles, smoke bombs, whistlers, or most of the wonderful stuff we used to have a blast with (pun intended!) in my youth.

People bringing their dogs have never bothered me. I am curious about those people who feel they must take their dog everywhere they go, though. Still, I've never had or seen trouble with the pets brought to the big firework displays.

Have fun and stay safe.

@veronykah: agreed. goggies rule!

Sorry, Virginia does not allow fireworks. Well, at least not my part of Virginia. Your only allowed to light up sparklers and smoke bombs. Funny thing is, everyone has a friend who went to South of the Border, so the place looks like a war zone on the evening of the 4th. The cops can't even keep up with all the illegal fireworks going off.

@I Love New Jersey: umm... how can i say this nicely... SCREW YOU!

* Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just bear with me.

Really though? Hick states? Nice...

[www.dogbeach.org]

@JeffMc: Totally agreed on that one.

@AngryK9: Or, if you own a dog, useful information for the upcoming holiday. But hey, why worry about other people, right?

Slow news day...

We keep them on leashes, have never gotten a single complaint about them, and they bring smiles to so many people.

Our house is mere blocks from where the display takes place, so if they're going to have to endure the show, I'd rather they be able to sit in our laps where they can be comforted than cooped up alone in our dark house, scared and confused.

Remember that you may be ruining other people's fun by bringing your child with you. The courteous thing is to keep your kid at home. If you MUST bring it out, keep it on a leash, for goodness sake.

That works well for pets AND kids!

Also remember that you may be ruining other people's fun by bringing your pet with you. The courteous thing is to keep your pet at home. If you MUST bring it out, keep it on a leash, for goodness sake.

And what sort of backwards hick states would have legal fireworks?