Happy Independence Day!

Today, we are celebrating the birthday of the United States of America, our home sweet home.

We hope all of our friends in the USA have a happy and safe 4th of July!

To all of our friends outside of the United States, we hope your Thursday is wonderful as well!

Of course, for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop, we're all incredibly grateful for our freedom.

Thimble is also thankful that, though we're getting some much-needed rain today, we'd had many sunny days lately.

Thimble and all of us here hope you truly have a wonderful, sunny, and safe Independence Day!

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Now, let's share those fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. My favorite beverage to drink when it is hot out is _________.

2. My favorite summer activity is _________.

3. I'm grateful that I have the freedom to _________.

4. If I don't _________, I'll forget _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip is one we've shared many times before, but it's fitting for this day of fireworks. On this 4th of July, there are ways to help keep your furbaby calm and safe during the often booming festivities. While those fireworks go off outside, close all window and doors, as well as blinds and curtains. This will help keep out the sights and sounds of the fireworks. You can further drown it out by putting on a movie or some music, and turning up the volume enough to mask the sounds of the fireworks. Just make sure it's not so loud that it is uncomfortable for your kitty or pup's sensitive ears.

How about some other ways to distract a kitty or pup while those fireworks boom outside? You can start a game inside with them, such as fetch or hide-and-seek. You can also offer some treats or a special meal, perhaps their favorite snack. Sometimes simply talking to them can help, or even reading a book out loud to them.

Still, there are a few more potential ways to help a cat or dog feel as calm as possible while fireworks are set off this time of year. You can use a ThunderShirt, which, as many of you know, may help reduce anxiety in dogs and cats. You can also fashion something makeshift yet similar, using a blanket, towel, or even one of your shirts. If nothing else, simply provide a scared or anxious furbaby somewhere safe to hide inside the home. Ensure that they have somewhere to retreat that is pet-friendly, whether that be under a bed, behind a couch, or in another nook or cranny. You can also offer them boxes in which to settle down, if that helps your furbaby feel safe.

Lastly, in the unfortunate event of an escape or other emergency, ensure that your cat or dog has identification on them. Of course try to ensure that they are safe indoors and unable to get out of the house, but should they escape, be prepared. Many animals are uncertain of the sights and sounds of fireworks, and so if they find themselves outdoors on days like today, they might very well run and hide. This is why it is so important that, today and every day, your furbaby have an updated microchip and/or an identification tag to help them find their way back home. Of course on one wants to think of their furbaby escaping and getting lost, but it is always best to be prepared for the worst case scenario.