SAN ANGELO, Texas — Forty-five percent of dogs have a fireworks phobia, according to a study published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science. One Concho Valley resident wants to comfort dogs during the Fourth of July weekend because he felt his dog comforted him during his difficult time.
Angel Enriquez has lived in San Angelo for the past 30 years. He served in the United States Air Force for eight years and completed four tours. He took a step back from the military and went into a dark place. Luckily, his dog Logan, was there for him through every rough day.
“I really went through a dark time after serving but my dog Logan was my best friend through it all and helped me feel better. After that I wanted to adopt more so now I have 5 dogs in total and I love them all,” Enriquez said.
As a thank you to the dogs that saved him, he decided to open up his home to dog owners in the community who needed someone to keep their dogs during the firework shows taking place this weekend.
"During Fourth of July and during New Year's, those are the biggest days where dogs tend to get out because they’re scared and eventually end up in the pound. If I can keep them from getting out and I can just watch your dog for a couple hours while you go and enjoy the Pops concert or the concert out at Lake Nasworthy I'm more than happy to do it," Enriquez explained.
While Enriquez watches dogs, he plans to play movies for them all to enjoy. If a dog owner wants their dog in a crate, Enriquez said to bring it with them when they drop their dogs off.
This is his first year opening his home up to dogs, but if it goes well he plans to do it again. Enriquez is looking to open an at-home pet-sitting business so he felt this weekend would serve as a test run for his future endeavors.