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Here’s a patriotic celebration for pet owners. Send out a flier to the neighborhood suggesting a Fourth of July parade for both kids and pets.

Especially recommend that kids dress up their pets in patriotic garb and bring along some kind of musical instrument to bang on. Tell them that it will culminate in a picnic on your lawn.

At the specified time, march everyone from one end of the neighborhood to the other. You may pick up a few new recruits along the way!

Fun suggestions might include giving everyone a little flag to wave, printing a participation certificate for everyone who came, or pulling a little wagon with a CD player that plays patriotic music.

As an added bonus for everyone, take along gifts for the pets. You could bring a box of dog biscuits or some small chew toys. (A few pet brushes would be safe for people who have pets on diets!) This is just a way of showing special kindness to the neighborhood.

Have the parade stop at your house for the picnic at the end. This can always be a potluck to share. You could even suggest that everyone bring food that is either red, white, or blue.

Instant Intentions

Of course you can follow up by inviting people to get together in the evening to watch fireworks. But keep the sparklers away from Fido!

Make sure you take lots of pictures during the parade, and offer to have people over to swap them in a week or two.

-          From the book, Field Guide to Neighborhood Outreach by Group Publishing, 2007.