Fireworks...

I can't think of anything more American than fireworks on the 4th of July.  There's something about the sparkling, glittering, whistling, and popping of fireworks to excite everyone young and old.  Although we didn't shoot off any fireworks ourselves, there were plenty of shows around us, including a large one visible from our back yard.  That's where this image came from.

I couldn't resist running into the house, grabbing the camera, and racing back out to catch some of the show.

What I've come to appreciate more and more though is that not everyone is excited about fireworks.  This was our first 4th of July without our dog Shadow (we had to put down last year).  She did not like fireworks at all.  What I didn't appreciate at the time was that many pets don't like fireworks.  A news story I just saw talked about how busy the animal control folks were picking up run away pets, scared, confused, and trying to get away...