None of us like seeing our beloved pets in discomfort. Whether they’re barking or howling out of fear, or shaking under the bed to feel safer, it puts strain and worry on pet parents. 51 per cent of pet owners say they feel anxious in the lead up to Bonfire night. It can be one of the most stressful times of the year for pet mums and dads.

In fact, an entire 85 per cent of pet pawrents can’t help but remember the 5th of November, as they have to sit tight and comfort their scared pet. The most popular way to provide comfort being letting a pet sleep on your bed.

How can you make it better for them?

Making their favourite meal, playing classical music, choosing some calming mood lighting, and playing spa music are also popular tactics for calming petrified pups and terrified tabbies. One in twenty have also admitted to requesting neighbours refrain from setting off fireworks in a bid to reduce their pet’s stress. As a whopping 64 per cent of animals experience stress caused by private displays.

Top ways British pawrents soothe their pets on fireworks night:

1. Let them sleep in my bed – 36%
2. Give them special treats – 30%
3. Play classical music – 22%
4. Make their favourite meal – 19%
5. Use mood lighting – 14%
6. Give a doggy/kitty massage – 10%
7. Play spa music – 9%
8. Create a chill out playlist – 9%
9. Let them watch animal videos on YouTube – 8%
10. Play soothing sounds like whale song – 7%

Data has shown that on average, it has been seven years since some pet owners last went to a fireworks display. Taking the magic out of special occasions like Bonfire night and Diwali, as they have to stay in.

Babs the corgi’s pet parent, Doug McPherson, said “What makes this time of year especially difficult as a pet owner is all the different celebrations happening throughout the month, so fireworks could go off on any given night during this period. As a result, I’ve had to cancel a lot of plans at this time of year. I’m sad to miss out on these celebrations.”

Read more: Overcome trauma from seeing animal cruelty on social media

So how about a free dinner – courtesy of Just Eat?!

We’ve got something to take the sting out of having to stay in. Cancelling plans and missing out on the celebrations is never ideal. So, if you are planning to sit in with a glass of wine and your favourite snacks, you can also take cooking out of the equation and get a takeaway through Just Eat, with their free voucher.

On Tuesday 5 November 2024 only, open up your Just Eat app and type ‘PAW ME’ into the chat box to bag your £15 off voucher. But act quick! As there’s only a limited amount to hand out.

Lana Hall

Lana can usually be found spinning her collection of records, or writing odd poems in her phone notes. Her mixer of choice is a ginger beer, and you’ll never find her away from the sea for more than a few weeks.

The post Comforting pets this fireworks night? How about a free takeaway? appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, is an annual celebration held every year on 5th November, as you know. The Gunpowder Plot aimed to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I, but was foiled when Guy Fawkes was caught guarding barrels of gunpowder the night before. But why do we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night?

Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated with fireworks, bonfires and effigies to symbolise the events of the failed plot.

When and how is Guy Fawkes Night celebrated?

The tradition began immediately after the failed plot in 1605, when people were encouraged to celebrate the King’s survival by lighting bonfires. Today, the celebrations still centre around lighting bonfires and setting off fireworks.

The largest Guy Fawkes Night celebrations are usually organised by councils and feature an elaborate bonfire and professional firework display. Many people attend these community events to experience the fireworks and bonfires. Smaller celebrations also take place in back gardens across the country as families gather for their own bonfires and fireworks parties.

In addition to the bonfires and fireworks, it’s also traditional to burn effigies or ‘Guys’ on the bonfire. These effigies, often straw men, represent Guy Fawkes himself. Children used to make their own Guys weeks in advance and take them around asking “Penny for the Guy?” to collect money for fireworks.

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605

After Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603 without an heir, King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England.

There were some Catholics who had hoped King James would be more tolerant of their religion. However, they soon became disillusioned, as the persecution of Catholics continued under his reign. In 1604, a group of provocateurs led by Robert Catesby decided to take action, and plotted to kill the King by blowing up both him and the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament, with gunpowder.

The plotters managed to lease a cellar beneath the House of Lords, and spent months smuggling in barrels of gunpowder. Guy (Guido) Fawkes, who had explosives experience in the Spanish Army, was placed in charge of the gunpowder. The plan was to ignite the gunpowder on 5th November during the State Opening of Parliament while King James was present.

However, an anonymous letter warning one peer to stay away was made public, and an investigation ordered. In the early hours of 5th November, Guy Fawkes was discovered in the cellar guarding the explosives and arrested. He was tortured until he gave up his co-conspirators. And all the plotters were convicted of high treason.

Why do we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night?

When the Gunpowder Plot was revealed, the government was quick to declare 5th November ‘a day of thanksgiving’. Days before Bonfire Night, effigies of Guy Fawkes would be paraded through the streets then thrown onto the bonfire as a symbolic burning of the traitor.

Although Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators failed in their assassination attempt, they did manage to secure their place in history. The story of the audacious Gunpowder Plot captured the public’s imagination, and the tradition of marking 5th November lived on.

To this day, Guy Fawkes Night is seen as a distinctly British celebration and an opportunity for people to come together for an exciting night of revelry and fireworks. The burning of the Guy effigies represents a commemoration of the failed plot and reminds us to be tolerant of all faiths and beliefs. Many people see it as an important part of British cultural tradition and an annual event to look forward to.

How Guy Fawkes celebrations have changed over the years

In the past, Bonfire Night celebrations were mainly small community or family affairs. Now there are more large-scale public events organised with professional firework displays and funfairs. This provides a safer and more managed environment for the festivities.

Traditionally the focus was on large bonfires where Guys were burned, but due to safety concerns and restrictions, bonfires play less of a role in modern events. The emphasis is now more on the fireworks display.

When the bonfires are lit and fireworks launched into the November night sky, we are continuing a 400-year-old tradition of celebrating the failure of Britain’s most infamous plot. Whatever its complicated origins, Guy Fawkes Night remains a popular event that brings together communities across the country.

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The post Why do we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night? appeared first on Silver Magazine.

The misty season is upon us, where darkness creeps in, and the veil is thinnest between this life and the next realm. We all love a bit of Halloween fun, right? But how well do you know your Halloween and Bonfire Night? Find out with Adam Jacot de Boinod’s tricky, treaty quiz…

Big Halloween and Bonfire Night Quiz

Take our spookiest quiz of the year! If you think you know the creepiest holidays of the season...

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The post Take our big Halloween and Bonfire night quiz! appeared first on Silver Magazine.