I watch NASCAR to see cars burst into flames. I like "Myth Busters" when the TV nerds blow up outhouses. And I like to watch the fireworks over IPFW on the Fourth of July.

What I don't like are the day-after-day, night-after-night, hour-after-hour blasts during the weeks surrounding explosives-sanctioned holidays. Hearing the bottle rockets and cherry bombs wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for poor Ted and Al hitting the ceiling after each surprise blast.

For days, pink ears stand at attention, yellow eyes dilate and gray fur flies with each crash, bang and boom. My kitties are normally as laid-back as turtles on tranquilizers, but during fire-cracking season they twitch like monkeys on meth.

Pet owners grumble to each other about the noises that scare their pets, but somehow, the pyromaniacs just don't get it.

If you're on the fence, considering having a private bomb-fest, think again. Turn on NASCAR or "Myth Busters" and save the fireworks for the professionals.

How does your pet like "boom" time?

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