Send Comments and Feedback

Fourth of July Memories, Fireworks, and Dog Stories from the Bench

Mike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa reunite on the “park bench” to talk about Fourth of July plans, memories of the 1976 bicentennial mural at Elliott Elementary, and how fireworks have grown louder, longer-lasting, and more expensive for communities while also stressing anxious dogs like Sasha. They reminisce about St. Louis Park fireworks at Aquila, chasing the parachute army man, and past July 3rd parties with big fireworks runs to Wisconsin. The conversation shifts to “dog days” heat, a Cheech Marin joke, and lifelong experiences with dogs and cats, including childhood pets, dog parks, and the emotional difficulty of losing a dog, euthanasia, and grief. Carlos shares stories of rescue dogs, traveling with labs, and they close by recalling Windsor’s burial and teasing a future “pets part two.”

00:00 Park Bench Intro
00:53 America 250 Memories
02:56 Fireworks Then and Now
06:08 Dog Days and Jokes
08:07 Growing Up With Dogs
11:15 First Loss and Grief
12:40 Why Dog Death Hits Hard
14:57 Saying Goodbye Humanely
16:57 Grief And New Pets
17:25 No Transition Time
17:57 Dogs That Find You
19:25 Dog Parks And Rules
21:32 Runaway Dog Memories
22:46 Road Trips With Labs
24:12 Joy And Heartbreak
25:41 Cats And Bird Chaos
28:06 Windsor Farewell
28:58 Signing Off And Fireworks

Support the show