Independence day has come and gone and along with it all of the fireworks, at least for now. Inevitably after every Fourth of July or similar firework-infested holiday, local animal shelters see a large increase in the number of dogs picked up running at large through the community. It is a known fact -- dogs and fireworks don't mix.

Keep your pet in mind when holidays arrive. If fireworks are likely to be set off by anyone in your neighborhood, then take preventative measures for your dog; even if you are not planning on using fireworks, someone in your community may be.

If you are planning on going to a parade, picnic or firework display, it may be best simply to leave your dog at home. Certainly you may want to share your holiday with your pet; however, from your pet's point of view it can be a traumatic event.

Putting your dog in an outside kennel and locking it tight is not a guarantee that your dog will be kept secure. Dogs often act very erratic when frightened by fireworks (or thunderstorms) and will climb, jump, dig or chew their way out of just about anything. Also this does not solve the problem; it merely forces your dog to endure the frightful event locked in a cage outside.

A good solution is to put your dog in a quiet, secure location where he or she will feel comfortable and not threatened by all the noise and lights. A good location will depend on your housing situation. Some suggestions include a basement bedroom or downstairs bathroom without windows. If windows are present, close the curtains or blinds. Consider providing some noise stimulus to help cover the sound of the fireworks such as the radio or television but keep the volume only at the level you would normally listen to it.

If you leave your dog in a room at home, remember that it may become destructive if it is frightened by the fireworks. Plan accordingly and remove any items that your pet would likely destroy or that would cause your pet harm.

Do not chain your dog up. Dogs in the throes of fear may become completely entangled and cause serious harm to themselves or become a danger to people passing by. Chaining up a dog for any reason is usually not a good idea.

Always ensure that your dog is wearing some form of identification. A valid dog license is a sure way to identify your dog and help reunite you with it. Other forms of identification include micro-chipping, identification tags, even tattoos and rabies tags can be helpful. Remember, your pet's identification is only as good as your ability to keep it current. Outdated dog licenses, un-registered micro-chips or incorrect phone numbers on ID tags are of no help and may cause more confusion.

Lastly, please do not punish your dog for acting strangely when frightened. This never solves the problem and usually exacerbates it.

With that, I leave you with my wishes, in the words of William Parrish, a character in the movie "Meet Joe Black:" "Sing with rapture and dance like a dervish. ... Be deliriously happy." Enjoy your holidays!