Holidays feel different with her around. On the 4th of July, she sticks close, sensing the noise and energy in the air long before the fireworks even start. There’s something grounding about the way she leans into me during the booms — trusting me to keep her calm.
We make our own tradition: staying indoors, playing soft music, giving her treats to keep her relaxed. She enjoys the glow of the celebration without the chaos outside.
And at the end of the night, when the noise fades, she rests her head on my leg as if to say, “Thanks for staying with me.” Moments like that are worth more than any fireworks show.
