Happy Halloween Versus Hollywood Horror

Jessica Burtch
Fri, 24 Oct 2014 21:00:00 -0700
Lifestyle

The countdown to Halloween is on, and Halloween means horror movies — a genre driven by the concept of people making bad choices. They make sure that creepy guy with the blank eyes and the bad teeth knows they're heading for that old cabin in the woods. They move into that foreboding house nobody else will touch. And that's right, Geiko, they hide behind the chainsaws. They ignore every single warning of impending danger and open the windows, unlock the doors and step, naked and nervous, into a bathtub.

In real life, people are smarter. We don't descend into the dark basement on the heels of strange noises. We don't take a steamy shower to calm our nerves when we get the feeling we're being watched. We don't stay in houses surrounded by freaks who keep issuing whispered warnings: "You're going to die inside that house!" Thank you, "American Horror Story." We lock our doors. We carry mace. We call 911.

And in real life, thankfully, the dangers of the year's most horrifying holiday are more practical than psycho — and the dangers to our dogs, largely avoidable.
Updated: Mon Oct 27, 2014

The countdown to Halloween is on, and Halloween means horror movies — a genre driven by the concept of people making bad choices. They make sure that creepy guy with the blank eyes and the bad teeth knows they're heading for that old cabin in the woods. They move into that foreboding house nobody else will touch. And that's right, Geiko, they hide behind the chainsaws. They ignore every single warning of impending danger and open the windows, unlock the doors and step, naked and nervous, into a bathtub.

In real life, people are smarter. We don't descend into the dark basement on the heels of strange noises. We don't take a steamy shower to calm our nerves when we get the feeling we're being watched. We don't stay in houses surrounded by freaks who keep issuing whispered warnings: "You're going to die inside that house!" Thank you, "American Horror Story." We lock our doors. We carry mace. We call 911.

And in real life, thankfully, the dangers of the year's most horrifying holiday are more practical than psycho — and the dangers to our dogs, largely avoidable.

Looking again to Hollywood for instruction in what not to do, last year's "The Conjuring" saw a couple and their children moving into a Rhode Island farmhouse. On the first night at their new and supremely creeped-out abode, they decide to leave their cute little dog outside, leashed to a tree. Let's just say it wasn't a good night for the little guy.

Halloween tip No 1: Don't leave your dog outside at night, not even in your fenced yard.

Halloween tip No. 2: Don't chain your dog to a tree — or to anything else.

The previous tips apply to Halloween and every night of the year. We and our dogs are safer when our dogs are inside the home, and it's never OK to tether a dog outside. It leaves him vulnerable and creates fear-based aggression.

Here are some more tips to hold you in good stead this Fright Night and beyond:

—Keep jack-o'-lanterns, candles and anything lit on fire safely out of the reach of dogs and their wagging tails.

—Keep chocolate, candy and candy wrappers off of the ground and out of reach.

—Dogs who are easily spooked are not good trick-or-treaters. Leave them at home with a comfy bed and some favorite toys that make them feel secure.

—Dogs who are easily spooked are also not the best hosts to trick-or-treaters. If your house is a popular stop on Mischief Night, keep your dog on a leash, even inside, or in a secure room. You don't want him getting scared and bolting out the front door.

—Make sure your dog is tagged and chipped, whether or not he's trick-or-treating.

—If your dog possesses a demeanor conducive to the night's festivities and you can't resist that doggie costume, just make sure it's flame resistant and fire retardant.

—No matter how calm and cool your dog is, walk him on a leash, especially on Halloween.

Following these tips is like getting in the car and driving away rather than hiding in the basement. It's not the stuff of horror movies, but it's the stuff of happy endings.