Pets

While Fourth of July fireworks can be beautiful and exciting to people, the Humane Society of Washington County is warning that they often are terrifying to pets. "I don't think that fireworks and pets are a good mix for most animals," Longmeadow Animal Hospital veterinarian Tracy Barlup said in a humane society press release. "It is beyond their comprehension and oftentimes very scary. " Previously content dogs have been known to dig under fences, break through glass windows and run out doors to get away from the frightening noise and flash of fireworks, humane society spokeswoman Katherine Cooker said.

wandaw@herald-mail.com Hagerstown veterinarian Ben Byers had a theory about the pets in his care who contracted Lyme disease. After noticing an increase in local cases of the disease in his pet patients, Byers said he suspected that pets living near the Potomac River were at a higher risk for infection. It turns out he was wrong, the Park Circle Animal Hospital veterinarian said. Byers said he tracked his office's diagnosed Lyme disease cases from Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania between February and September of 2003.

SHARPSBURG - A goofy video clip offered a cheesy moment, which is why some audience members were chuckling Saturday afternoon. But the audience that had gathered at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center also took the subject matter - first aid for household pets - very seriously. "We have dogs, so it's important," said Paul Withun, 38, of Chambersburg, Pa. Withun, his wife Ann, and friend Lori Miller car-pooled from Pennsylvania to take the class Saturday.

When 4-month-old Hazel the Goat joined the Hull family, there was no indication an escape was evident, but Sunday afternoon brought an empty yard and concerned family members in Clear Spring. Not to be left out of the fun, 2-year-old Mia the Poodle joined her new yard mate in an unexpected overnight romp. A relieved Katherine Hull came to the Humane Society of Washington County Monday afternoon to claim her wayward pets. Hazel came to live with the Hull family on Friday evening and all seemed to be going well.

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Eleven-year-old Cricket frolics with other dogs and chews on her cloth bone without a care in the world. The cocker spaniel has no idea she was hours away from being euthanized a few months ago after her owner died. Remaining family members were unable to care for the aging dog and saw no alternative, until at the last minute a veterinarian mentioned a new animal sanctuary opening in Franklin County that might be willing to take her in, said Nancy Gardner, one of the directors of Angel Hill Animal Sanctuary, a nonprofit shelter in Hamilton Township.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. --Pets were on parade Monday at Wilson College as part of ChambersFest.

Children's Village of Washington County Inc. will host its inaugural 5K run and Kids 1 Mile Fun Run Saturday at its campus at 1546 Mount Aetna Road in Hagerstown. All participants must be registered. The 5K Run/Walk begins at 8 a.m. The free Kids 1 Mile Fun Run begins at 9 a.m. and the free Tot Trot starts at 10 a.m. Registration costs $20 for adults and $15 for students. Participants and their families are welcome to tour the facility on race day.  All proceeds benefit the life-safety education program at Children's Village.

WILLIAMSPORT -- The Williamsport Barber Shop at 2006 Governor Lane Blvd., Suite 4007, will hold a Cuddly Cuts event Saturday, Nov. 22, from 8 a.m. to noon to help promote adoptions of pets from the Humane Society of Washington County and raise money for the shelter. The public is invited. Free coffee, hot chocolate and doughnuts will be available and some of the adoptable pets from the Humane Society will be at the event. Applications for pet adoptions also will be available. A donation box will be available for those who would like to donate items to the Humane Society.

The 4- and 5-year-olds in Debby Reed's and Amy Smith's class at Grace Child Care Center were excited to have a special visitor come to their classroom recently. The children were learning about the letter "M" and "M" is for "mayor. " Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II accepted the invitation to come in and talk to the class. He shared stories about his family and his pets. The children's favorite memory of his pets was the story about his "fat cat. " In addition, Bob "Pappy" Hamlin has been coming to Grace each month for at least 10 years to read to the class.

Christ Lutheran Church's blessing of the  animals will be Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. at  216 N.  Cleveland Ave. in Hagerstown. The blessing will take place on the front lawn. All pets in the community are welcome for an individual blessing.