Bloody fireworks - I hate them

[TemporaryCatSlave]

The cats are terrified. It's been crazy tonight near me, huge louds bangs that feel like they are just outside the window. It's only just stopped a few minutes ago - (assuming they don't start up again).

I've competely lost the black cat, he shot off the sofa at speed and now I can't find him anywhere (in a 2 bedroom flat) and all the calling in the world isn't working, he isn't coming out from wherever he's wedged himself. Being completely black doesn't help the search.

Meanwhile, the little stray cat I'm fostering is cowering under a chair in the spare room looking petrified. I thought maybe having been outdoors for years might have built up some tolerance, but no.

I wish they would ban the bloody things from sale.

So awful - hate them. I am so, so grateful that Louie is unbothered by fireworks. With our lovely girl we would have weeks of misery, nights spent with her cowering under our bed crying, and me lying on the floor singing to her. YouTube white noise videos helped a bit, but it was heartbreaking to see her so distressed.

You don't live anywhere near Gravesend do you? They started about 6pm yesterday & finally stopped around 10:30pm. I live at the bottom of a steep valley and the noise ricochets up and down. I can actually be worse than the cats about it if the bigger bangs catch me unawares, they both ignore them completely but I can still remember working in central London during the IRA bombing campaigns and having a few very close shaves.

If you haven't already, I'd put on a pheromone diffuser like Feliway. You might also try Zylkene, can calm down most cats (but not all). TV on high volume, and chat to them.

My mum lost her rescue dog last Bonfire Night. She’d only had her a few months, and the poor thing panicked, managed to get out of the house, ran out into the road and was hit by a car.

They did start up again last night, went until 11.20pm so I wa also late to bed. There are 2 temples/centres that celebrate Diwali very close to me, so I think it was actually organised displays . I don't know why it's allowed. There are bIg gatherings at both today so I'm assuming it will happen again tonight too.

Black cat emerged from behind the headboard in my room, it's an ottoman and can't believe he managed to squeeze behind it.

@Allergictoironing I'm in London! And I was also jumping a few times, it was so very loud and unpredictable - though notihng like bombs. I have a friend who narrowly missed an IRA bomb in Kensington in 1993, Very scary. I know what you mean about the noise ricocheting. That's the problem here, several blocks of flats around with brick and concrete facades and it all bounces around off the surfaces. Thanks for the reminder about Zylkene, I have got some. Not Feliway though, it's run out.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses irt is awful seeing them so upset and not being able to explain it will end and can't hurt them.

@MadameSzyszkoBohusz that's so sad, your poor mum and dog. She must have been devastated.

It so unnecessary, you can celebrate without massive firework displays in built up areas. I'm considering calling the council noise control department and asking what the rules are about how late they can go. Is that too "fun sponge"? I don't really care tbh. And we've still got this week leading up to Bonfire night to go when all the random back garden ones will start up. At least the bangs are usually not quite as loud.

I have a friend who narrowly missed an IRA bomb in Kensington in 1993, Very scary.

I was on a train at the platform at London Bridge when they set one off in the platform toilets. Had left Victoria station 4 minutes before they set one off at platform 1. Was working right by Parliament Square when they mortar bombed the garden at 10 Downing Street, a girl I knew worked in the garden office there. And was off sick with flu the day they ended the cease fire by blowing up South Quay in Docklands, causing massive damage to the building I worked in.

Hence why I can get a little twitchy around unexpected loud bangs!