The park across from Casa de Buddy is the site of our town’s annual fireworks display and I was a bit apprehensive about the Budster’s reaction this year.
The fireworks are so close that you can both hear and feel their percussive booms inside, but Bud’s been hearing them every year since kittenhood. The first few years I stayed inside with him to make sure he was okay, and to let him see how relaxed I was.
It’s never been a problem.
However, we are talking about a cat who sometimes freaks out at the rustling of a paper bag, and over the past year or two he’s become a little more sensitive. I attribute that to old age.
The fireworks here are no joke:
I gave Bud some grinded-up catnip, knowing that it calms him because he eats the stuff instead of just sniffing and rolling in it like civilized cats do. Then I waited until the explosions began, saw no visible reaction from Bud, and went outside to join everyone else.
When I got back, Bud was splayed out on the floor without a care in the world. He poked his head up as if to say “Ah, there were fireworks today, human? I hadn’t noticed!”
The Budster’s still got it!
We had our town’s fireworks today, I presume, because there are a metric crapton of July 4 events this year, and a neighboring town is known for their world class fireworks display which is always the night of. I still appreciate our display: it’s paid for by a local mom-and-pop business that is extraordinarily generous with the community.
Anyway, what could be more ‘Merican than celebrating our nation’s birthday by blowing things up? ‘Merica!
Pain In The Bud 
It’s good to know that Little Bud kept his cool during the pyrotechnics.
I wonder, are the Independence Day celebrations even bigger than usual this year in recognition of the 250th anniversary of America’s escape from the clutches of the evil Brits?
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Well, apparently Trump’s incredible, tremendous, really unbelievable American County Fair in Washington has been a dud with its $28 soft pretzels and poor attendance, despite it being the best ever, obviously.
But the local celebrations so far seem to be really well done and attended, and there’s a lot more. There’s the annual Fireman’s Carnival with fireworks in Mamaroneck (Native American name), the fireworks and celebration at Rye Playland (local amusement park opened in 1929), and the fireworks in Port Chester, which is the world class fireworks show I mentioned in the post. All three towns border my town.
So lots of family stuff to do and a lot of blowin’ stuff up!
More about Playland here if you’re bored or curious:
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To Platypus Man. Evil brits?LOL. I don’t think so. Our history books were filled with lies. Have you read what evil americans have done throughout history?. EVERYONE has done evil things in history. What will i be doing? Hanging with cats and watching the Twilight Zone half the day and pizza.
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Hi Gilda, I was joking, of course. As a trained historian I’m under no illusions that evil is not confined to specific times, nations or cultures, and as a Brit with a wicked sense of humour I feel it is my solemn duty to focus on our own failings. There’s plenty to say on that subject…don’t even get me started on my country’s long-standing love of warm beer (actually, that’s not true either, we Brits like a cold beer as much as you guys!) Enjoy your pizza, Gilda, and say hi to your furry friends from a cat lover across the Pond.
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I admire little Buddy’s fortitude! My girl, Charlie (5 YO, rehomed to me 2 years ago), is scared of EVERYTHING: people (except me), thunder, rain, wind, . . . weather (?!), any sudden noise (though she’s mostly gotten used to the traffic on our busy country road), and so on. I’m not looking forward to the fireworks (locals setting them off in their yards) and the likely t-storms this yucky weather is going to bring. (Poor C is already totally out of sorts with this heatwave: box fans + portable AC + window AC = MORE NOISE!) I’ve tried catnip (she’s totally not into it) and calming treats (did nothing). Sigh . . .
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Poor Charlie 😦 I don’t know if it’ll make any difference, but the stuff I get for Bud is From The Field catnip and silvervine blend. I’ve read that silvervine can be more potent and even cats who don’t react to catnip can possibly react to silvervine.
No guarantee, but might be worth a shot. She also might respond to an item of clothing or a blanket with your scent on it, and since they look to us for cues, maybe it’s worth trying to emphasize how relaxed and nonbothered you are by the noises.
Was Charlie abused by the people who had her before you?
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To Carla. Have you checked out natural calming stuff from Chewy? Not sure i believe Feliway works.
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This made me giggle. Not to be slanderous, but I suspect the always admirable Budster was high! How else to explain his calm indifference to fireworks which everyone knows are excessively loud and intolerably obnoxious???? Love you, Buddies.❤️❤️ Happy Fourth!
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He was definitely high! I don’t know how common it is for cats to eat catnip instead of sniffing/rolling around in it, but Bud could be fast asleep in another room and as soon as I open the sealed bag containing the tub of catnip, he bolts up, races to the kitchen and starts trilling eagerly for that sweet ‘nip.
Then he chows down like it’s a delicious snack.
Thank you for the kind words, and if you’re under this brutal heat dome, please stay safe and cool this weekend. Happy 4th of July!
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I totally forgot about Zyklene from Chewy. People swear by it as a calming agent.
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Is that the same stuff as Feliway?
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No. Zykele is a pill. Open the pill and sprinkle powder in food.
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