It's nearly time for the creepy side of all of us to assert itself.
And you've already probably heard some noisy fireworks off in the distance.
This is a tough time for pets. The sudden noises and weird activities that define the Halloween experience for the kids can cause cats and dogs to panic. For the next couple of weeks, you're likely to notice numerous "lost pet" posters tacked up.
Pets that don't panic are still prone to act irrationally over their encounters with all sorts of strange-looking characters knocking at the door every few minutes. Dogs that have never bitten a soul can get snarly, and mild-mannered cats have been known to be prompted to attack.
Your pets really don't enjoy Halloween. The candy isn't good for them, and the overall experience is unpleasantly scary. Just keep them out of it altogether, in a secluded room or a quiet place, and definitely indoors.
And really, for all the same reasons mentioned above, don't send Fido off with the kids on their trick-or-treating rounds.
If you insist on illegally firing off bottle rockets or other noise-making gunpowder crackers, at least try to minimize the risks. Don't point Roman candles or starbursts or other propelled-flame pyrotechnics at people (including yourself) or animals, or at buildings, shrubs, or trees.
And don't imagine you'll be less of a bother if you sneak off to a rural area to indulge in your noisy - and noisome - passion. Especially stay away from farm animals, as they are prone to injure themselves badly on barbed-wire fences or other obstacles that they encounter in the panic you will induce.
Oh, yes, and if you get caught doing something stupid with your firecrackers, don't come running to us with your "story." Just pay your fine.
