Knowing better

The longer we have horses in our lives, the more likely we are to suffer heartbreaking loss. The romantic notion that horses are strong noble creatures, is just that. The reality is our equine friends are complicated and fragile beings, and things can go wrong in a hurry. The tragic loss of Navar, Dawn Golding’s dependable jumper gelding, is a prime example. You can read more about their special relationship in the Nova Scotia Report in this issue. Their partnership came to a senseless, devastating end on New Year’s Eve when Navar and his herd mates ran through their fence when spooked by fireworks.

We’ve likely all enjoyed fireworks at some point in our lives, possibly with little thought to the consequences. I have great memories of taking my kids to the annual fireworks display on the waterfront in Windsor, N.S., each summer. It was an August tradition, and so much fun to ooh and aah as the colours exploded overhead, reflected in the water, just at dark. Ten minutes later, we’d all start the long trek back to our vehicles to join the seemingly endless line of traffic heading out of town to get kids, who’d been up way past their bedtimes, home and settled for the night. If we had nervous dogs, we locked them up before we left, turned the radio up loud, and ensured the horses were safe in their stalls. It wouldn’t be long. We happily packed the kids in the car and hoped for the best.

This New Year’s Eve past, the fireworks in my neck of the woods started at supper time and continued well into the early hours of 2022. They were behind the house, then in front, then off to one side, and then the other. We were surrounded. My grandkids were “sleeping” over. The noise had the oldest one up, over and over, looking unsuccessfully for the light show. My current dogs aren’t nervous of the sound, and the horses were all safe in their stalls. It was a long noisy night, but no harm was done, at least in my world.

Not everyone was so lucky. Certainly not the Golding family, those suffering from anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder, or the anguished owners of panicked run-away dogs – including one Canadian Institute for the Blind puppy-in-training. Thankfully the pup was later found safe.

Some determined and fed-up folks waking the next morning to read Dawn’s terrible news, quickly launched a movement that includes a petition to ban the sale of consumer fireworks. The Facebook group, Ban Private Fireworks in NS, has lots of thoughtful ideas and suggestions on how this dangerous activity might be better controlled, and how to ensure voices are heard so action can be taken.

To paraphrase the poet and activist Maya Angelou: when you know better, do better. Let’s take back the idea of looking forward to something special, and move away from this instant backyard gratification that, without a doubt, causes harm. One community fireworks show per year – well planned, organized, and advertised – would alleviate many of the concerns outlined by the Facebook group. Or just maybe it’s time for fireworks in general to fizzle out.

Happy New Year, and take care.