Firework season with Smiley: older legs, a different plan

Guess what arrived today? Smiley’s firework calming bundle! 😃 A little delivery that makes me feel much better prepared for the coming firework season.

In previous years, fireworks seemed like fun for all of us—including Smiley. As soon as he heard the first bang, he would rush into the garden, run in circles and bark, whatever the weather. Getting him back inside could become a late-night mission!

Because he’s a Border Collie, we thought, “Let him chase them—he’s burning off some energy!” Looking back, I realise that all that running and barking didn’t necessarily mean he was enjoying himself.

As Smiley has got older, those evenings have started to come at a cost. A night of racing around the garden could mean no walk the next day. Sometimes, he could barely get out of bed. That was the alarm bell for me: I needed to do something differently. 💔

Last year, I started trying to keep him busy indoors when the fireworks began, playing games and giving him something else to focus on. But the tricky part is the unexpected bangs. You pop out to the shops, someone sets off a firework, and Smiley is off on his garden patrol!

We have a dog flap, so he can usually access the garden whenever he likes. During firework season, that freedom is something I need to manage more carefully.

At a recent vet visit, we discussed his legs and back, the medication he already takes, and my worries about the approaching fireworks. I wanted a plan that would help him settle and protect him from another evening of overdoing it.

My vet recommended starting him on a daily Nutracalm supplement before the season, alongside tablets from the same brand for days when fireworks are expected, following their instructions for Smiley.

And today, the whole bundle arrived! 😄🐾

We haven’t tried this plan yet, but I’m happy to have spoken to the vet and feel more prepared than before. Alongside keeping him occupied indoors and managing his garden access, I’m hoping we can make these evenings easier for my lovely boy.

He may still think he’s the garden’s chief firework officer, but those older legs deserve a gentler evening. ❤️

How do you and your pets deal with the firework madness? - Do they hide, bark, sleep through it or try to take charge like Smiley? Feel free to share your story—I’d love to hear it! 🐶🐱