1. Pet Friendly Diwali
Regardlessof howtougha yearhas been – the sightsand soundsof Diwali,the love,camaraderie and
goodcheerthat pervadesthe atmosphere,diminishessorrowsandmanagesto rekindle hope inthe
heartsof eventhe mostseasonedcynics.Diwali isacelebrationof lifeandall the goodthat ithas to
offer,itisa time for togethernessandbonding.Associetiesbecome more prosperous,industrialized
and urbanized,the needsof the populace changes,andsomustthe wayswe celebrate.Diwali hascome
to be characterizedbyhighvolume gift-giving,andbigger,noisierandbrighterfirecrackers.Sohave the
problemsthatsuchincreasedspendingbrings,notonlytoushumansbut also to our innocentfurry
members.
We all love havingPets –Cats, Dogs,Rabbits…at home that we can come home toon a long tiringday
and enjoycompany.The questionisDowe love themenough tocare for themonthisspecial occasion
of Diwali where firecrackersare atitspeak?Asa childI’ve lovedDogs,we evenhadone. Diksywasa
Pomerian.While Iwasa kid,itneverreallystrikedme thatDiwali wasnotthatmuch of funfor Diksy.I
rememberhimhidingbehinddoorsorunderthe bedjusttoget awayfrom the noise of crackers.I used
to finditfunnyuntil nowwhenIsee somany dogson the streetsor the petsat home reactingthat same
way.Unlike ustheycannot communicate the paintheygothrough,unlesswe aspetownerspay
attention.
Festivalsshouldbe aboutjoy,peoplecomingtogetherincelebration,andnotabouttroubledbreathing,
and one-upmanshiponhowmuchmoneywe cansendup insmoke.Sowhynot we all thinkabouta Pet
FriendlyDiwalithisyear. Here ishowyoucan ensure asafe and happy Diwali foryourpets:
Avoid firecrackers,lightlamps instead
Animalshave alevel of hearingthatismuchmore sensitive thanthatof humans,whichmeansevery
firecrackersoundsearth-shatteringtothem.Often,theypanicandtryto escape.Several dogs go
missingandsome ownersneversucceedintrackingdowntheirmuch-lovedpets. Asforhomelessdogs,
whenfirecrackersare litonthe streets,theyare traumatizedbythe smoke andnoise andgo intohiding,
venturingoutonlyafterthe celebrationsare over.Inthe process,theylose achance to searchfor food
and go hungryforseveral days.Those withnewbornlittersmightlose themtothe fireworkswhenthe
youngonesscamperaway.
Keepyour pets indoors
Keepyourpetsindoorsandmake themfeel safe fromall the loudnoisesand the smoke.Keepingyour
petinside will reducethe traumaandensure he/she isoutof harm’sway.Try to distract themwith
television,loudmusicandsoon. Alsoplease doNOTleave themalone.Asmuchas youwouldlove going
out visitingyourlovedones,rememberourpetsare alsoour lovedoneswhoneedusto make themfeel
safe. To them,youare theirworld,itisyouwhowill save themfromwhateverhavochasbrokenloose
causingthe distressingnoises.
Avoid feedingyourpetsweets
As muchas you love yourpetsandtreat themas yourown kidsand like toshare everythingwiththem.
Sharingsweetswithyourdogisnot a good idea,especiallycandiesandchocolates.Sweetslike
chocolatesandcandies,highinsugarare toxic for dogs.Theycontainan ingredientcalledtheobromine

2. whichisharder forthe dog’smetabolicsystemtoprocess.Itcan affecttheirnervousandcardiac
system,andalsoput pressure ontheirkidneys. AvoidSugarfree sweetstoo. Asbeingthe petparent,
youhave to be aware of the foodintake of yourpetdog as theyare unable tostopthemselvesonce
theystart eatingsomething.Youshouldmonitor othersthatfeedthemtoo.Pleaseeducate your
relativesandfriendstoo.
Spread Awareness
Spreadthe above pointsamongstanyone andeveryone.Teachchildrentonottrouble petsandstrays
for mere enjoyment.Be vigilant,stopchildrenandadultsalike fromharmingthem.Make sure thatthere
isa special areabeyondwhichfirecrackersaren’tallowed,mosthousingsocietiesfollow this,anditis
hightime all neighborhoodsdidso.Andsince suchanarea is normallyanopenspace,like afield,make
sure that there are no stray animalsaround.
How about gifting your pet, accessories like ear muffs tocut out the noise  
Remember,Diwali isacelebrationof LordRam’sreturnto Ayodhyafromexile.It’sassumedthatwithits
arrival,goodwealthwill come toa house. Keepingyourpets safe willensure ahappytime.