Well it’s a new year but to get here every pet owner and pet has to go through the same gauntlet.

Despite the many pleas on social media in the run up to the new year for others to consider how stressful fireworks are for the animal kingdom. There still seems to be those that think letting off enough ordnance to put the illegal airstrike of a sovereign nations nuclear program to shame is justified in celebrating the passing of the old and the start of the new.

This would be Diogo’s first time experiencing such explosive celebrations. How would he handle it.

I’ve been lucky in the past. The wolf pack were not bothered at all by the loud explosions. Which was handy when we were living in Crook because we were living next to the towns cricket ground where we found out they held the annual fireworks display.

Nico and Loki have been ok as well with fireworks. And Dolly has been as well.

I think the secret is not to get stressed out by the fireworks yourself. I think the furballs pick up on this. So being calm and not reacting helps them.

Mums dogs Ebony and Toby were always getting stressed out by fireworks. Which I think they picked up from mum. She got stressed that they were going to be stressed. It was a self fulfilling prophecy.

Last night Diogo was in his bed when the first explosions of the night started going off. All he did was get on the bed and cuddle up next to me. As did Loki and Dolly. I was literally pinned on the bed by them cuddled up next to me.

They weren’t stressed, worried or under any duress. Just content cuddled up next to me.

I was really proud how all three handled the fireworks. I’ll take doggy cuddles any day of the week.

This morning on our walk there was very little evidence of last nights explosive celebrations. Usually the remains of some expensive fireworks display in a box type thing are left next to the dog bins or in the middle of the grass. All I saw this morning was the remains of a sparkler and a couple of rockets. I know times are hard for lots of people and this is just a tiny example of where people are making cuts.

Anyway happy new year from the little monsters.