For the 17th year in a row I go to write the same old advice about keeping pets safe at fireworks time.

It feels like fruitless lip-service because my direct experience every year is that pets are lost, injured or killed as a result of fireworks. And "fireworks season" runs for months past November 2 when they go on sale, until well past New Years Eve.

So, there will be no “advice” this year. You know the drill.

Instead, I ask you to take personal action to change this and join me by;

NOT buying fireworks

Believe me, I love fireworks. But I love animals more. For well over ten years now we have not brought fireworks.

Instead, we always go to our local annual display which is just $10 for a family. For 15 minutes we get a stunning display of thousands of dollars of fireworks. The professional display is far better and cheaper than blowing up fifty bucks worth at home and also raises funds for the local Lions service group. Everyone knows the display night months in advance, so people can take more safety precautions for their pets that night.

Please refuse to buy fireworks. En masse. Let’s say no to backyard bombs by putting our money where our mouth is, by not spending money on them.

For every family that says no, that's 50 odd less giant bangs and whistles in the night to terrify pets and animals. Then one day I won’t need to write about this topic anymore or have to see the terrible pictures in the news about the carnage they caused.

A very special thanks, from the animals.