Best bet: leave your pets at home during July 4 fireworks

If you don't want to see the pooch get all aggro with people and other dogs on the beach during the July 4 fireworks show, your best is to leave 'em at home. So says the U.S. Forest Service, which wrote a friendly reminder to pet owners that the noise from the fireworks and large crowds can make your dog, cat, rat, snake, whatever — tense and agitated. And why would you want your pets to become unhinged as you and others are trying to watch the show?
Obviously the safest thing (if not the smartest) is to leave your pet at home during the festivities.
But hey, it's your choice. Politeness and every day courtesy are becoming relics with people sometimes becoming as aggro as their dogs, especially when they think everyone is yanking their chain or pulling their tail. (As the man said, 'Why can't we all get along?' Just sayin' it's pretty easy when we try.)

Anyway, if you must bring your leashed pet with you, the Forest Service urges you to respect the rules of where pets are allowed. Dogs are not allowed at designated swim beaches including Nevada, Pope, Baldwin, Meeks, and William Kent. Instead, plan to take your leashed pet to Kiva Picnic area between the Valhalla Boathouse and Tallac Point in South Lake Tahoe, Echo Lakes on Echo Summit, Zephyr Shoals, Hidden or Chimney beaches on the east shore, or Coon Street Beach in King’s Beach, Kaspian or 64 Acres in Tahoe City.
Fireworks show time at South Shore begins at 9:45 p.m.
Give your dog a treat when you return from the show. They deserve it. And give yourself one too for thinking of others who wish to watch the display without a lot of barking and fighting. People get too much of this crap as it is from from the radio, TV and each other.

Happy July 4!