I had one seriously traumatized cat last night, when someone decided that a good way to celebrate an event was to ignite gun powder and send it soaring up into the skies.
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a device containing gunpowder and other combustible chemicals which causes spectacular effects and explosions when ignited, used for display or in celebrations.“they were oohing and aahing as if they were watching the fireworks”
I know I am going to sound like a mother grundy here, but what is it about fireworks that entrances humans so much. As a child I remember my wise father saying about Guy Fawkes, that he would rather give us each a Five Rand note (that was a lot of money back then) than burn it. We were allowed sparklers and a Catherine Wheel (which I proudly thought at the time as named after me), to celebrate an event that was not even part of our South African culture.
But last nights exhibition was not even in celebration of any historic occasion. Imagine if each of us thought on the event of a birthday or anniversary that the best way to rejoice is by letting off fireworks. To be able to go oooh and aaaah for 10 minutes or so, for what??????????
My little 7 month old cat was seriously traumatized, as I said in my opening line. Never mind all the dogs in the area, some of which would not have had an owner to cower with under the covers. But apart from the domestic animals, I live in what in my opinion is one of the most insanely unspoilt and beautiful parts of our county. The wildlife and birdlife is amazing, what effect did these unnecessary explosions have on all of them. And in the name of a human wanting to celebrate an occasion. A much better way to celebrate would have been to waken early, go up to the cliffs or walk on the beach and watch the most exquisite natural beauty awaken with the sun and which would get so many more oooohs and aaahs and memories which would stay with one forever.
This is an issue that gets under my skin and am happy to see, after reading some of the social media posts in the area, that I am not the only one. We humans, know the effects of fireworks on animals, and find myself saddened by the insensitivity of some to still go ahead. If you feel you just have to have some sort of display, then do your research – there are silent ones available.
BAN ALL FIREWORKS!!!!!!! they are not necessary.
Having got that of my chest – mother grundy signing off.
Diary of the peregrinating granny from South Africa 