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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (June 28, 2018)
JUNE 28, 2018 // 9 Mooring Basin. Over in Washington, Ocean Park offers their Old-Fashioned Fourth of July parade. The parade starts at 1 p.m. at U Street and Bay Avenue, west to Vernon Avenue, then south to 256th Street, where the parade disbands. Be sure to watch for the shopping cart drill team! Long Beach puts on a spectacular fire- works show, set off in front of the Board- walk from 9:30 to 10 p.m. There are also fireworks before and after the main show along the length of the beach. Be safe The behind-the-scenes work that en- sures everyone has a safe, exciting cel- ebration begins well before the holiday and continues when the big day is over. “We plan on working long shifts during the Fourth of July,” Seaside Police Department’s Lt. Bruce Holt said. Flint Wright, Long Beach police chief, said the biggest problem the police de- partment faces is the mixture of alcohol and explosives. Scheduling extra patrols is part of the pre-Fourth planning. “I never know what to expect when the Fourth is in the middle of the week like it is this year,” Wright said. “If it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, I figure the busiest time will probably be Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Or Saturday, Sunday and Monday.” With the Fourth on a Wednesday, Wright tries to cover the whole week. In the past, people camped on the beach, but since the State Parks Depart- ment ended beach camping, things have gotten much better. “It’s made a huge difference,” Wright said. Something the public can do to help: If you pack it in, pack it out. Wright also advises people not to overindulge in alcohol, and be sure to have a designated driver. From left, Neveah Beeler, Makaly Heiz and Nicholas Sanders watch their fireworks take off at sunset in Long Beach in 2017. Anxious animals While not first responders in the tradi- tional sense, veterinarians often deal with problems created by a pet’s exposure to holiday festivities. “We worry about two main things during the Fourth of July holiday,” Dr. Ruth Sheppard of Oceanside Animal Clinic said. “The first is pets getting lost or injured because they bolt when startled. “The second issue we see is profound stress and anxiety, which is obviously very distressing for both the pet and its owner,” she said. This added stress can lead to medical issues such as gastrointestinal upset and increased risk of infection. This member of the AARP chose to walk in the 2016 Long Beach parade in colorful eye- wear and a flamboyant hat. “Owners can limit their pets’ exposure to anxiety triggers, like fireworks, by setting up a ‘quiet zone’ in their home if possible,” she said. “In some cases, giv- ing a mild sedative before the fireworks start can be greatly beneficial. Every pet is a little bit different, so a consultation with a veterinarian is always a good idea.” The risk of a pet getting lost or injured is much higher when an animal is in unfamiliar territory, so definitely stay on leash, she said. Also, microchipping your pet increas- es the chances of a successful reunion. Owners should make sure that their con- tact information is up to date and regis- tered with the microchip company. Commercial products are available to help keep pets calm, including calming pheromones and thunder shirts, Dr. Raela Hale, also of Oceanside Animal Clinic, said. Her advice: During the fireworks keep all pets indoors, and give them a safe space where they feel comfortable, like a room or even a kennel or crate. Shut the blinds or curtains to avoid the flashing fireworks. Play the television or music at a normal volume to help mask the fireworks sounds. In some cases, pets may even benefit from anti-anxi- ety medication available through your veterinarian. CW DANNY MILLER PHOTO In 2016, Isabella Churchill, then 4, reacts to the parade in front of her during Warrenton’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Parade.
