I am sat writing this hub as I am on dog watch. Home alone with my two dogs it is 7th November and noisy. Two days ago it was bonfire night in the UK but, as has always happened in recent years, this event is somewhat extended.

It is a Saturday night and locals and having firework parties. So much then for the hard up British citizen. With an expensive price tag fireworks do not come cheap these days.

All of that aside though people never consider the effect all of this has on various pets and animals, unless that is they are a an animal owner.

Both of my dogs have not had their evening meal yet. They are also desperate for a pee, or worse but will not venture outdoors.

I keep edging towards the back door when there is a quiet spell and taking them onto our back garden. Each time we just get outdoors a loud crack is heard, or a bright flare flashes in the sky, and the poor creatures scurry indoors.

We have already been through this rigmarole on Thursday which was the actual Bonfire night. It was worse then but these unofficial extra days are just a pain in the backside.

I did have an idea that this may happen this evening, as it is a dry Saturday night. So I had made some preparations. Part of the problem is my dog Leo. As he takes medication for a heart condition he can only hold his water for so long. He also needs to drink plenty and urinate accordingly. I guess we will be up till the early hours again just to ensure that my pooches are all sorted out.

So what can you do to help your pets through this bonfire season?

If you have an animal that is very frightened consult your veterinarian. One dog I owned sometime ago was so scared that he would become very ill. Eventually the vet prescribed a mild sedative. Once my dog had taken his medication he would happily almost smile his way through the thunderous firework displays.

If you know that there will be fireworks, for example 4th July in the USA or 5th November in the UK forward planning will help.

• Walking your dog will need to be done early in the day. It is not fair on the animal to attempt to take it out during fireworks.
• If like me you feed your animals in the evening adjust the time. Feed your pet earlier or at a different time for this one day.
• If you are having to feed your dog later have some snack treats handy for the interim period.
• Remember that once you have fed your dog he or she will need to urinate or defecate.
• If you are having a firework display and know that dogs and cats are living close by consider moving away from your home a little.
• Dogs love a relaxing massage and this may help. It can take your dog's mind of what is going on and help them settle down.
• Some people find that ignoring their pet's behaviour during fireworks is the best plan. However your pet may need to stay close by you and be very unsettled.
• Keep your pets away from firework's even if they are not scared. Pets and fireworks are a bad combination and could spell disaster.
• My two dogs like to go upstairs and lay in the spare bedroom on the floor when there are noisy fireworks outside. They prefer the room to be dark. This is a small price to pay for their peace of mind.

By all means enjoy your fireworks but give a little thought to pets and their owners. Fireworks these days are used to celebrate birthdays, New Year Christmas or just about anything. Fine if the display is short lived. Currently in the UK, nights that have fireworks will have the noise and bright lights from early evening until midnight and beyond. Years ago Bonfire night was over pretty quickly.

What does amaze me is, that as each person seems to be pleading poverty, people can afford to buy such fireworks to excess and constantly.

Surely this money could be put to better use?

I know pet owners would hope so.

Now then, if I am not mistaken things have quietened down outside. I better see what I can do then before my poor dogs burst.