Except dogs.

The frightening sound of fireworks is one reason more pets get lost at this time of year than any other, says Animal Friends.

On Wednesday, the organization will hold its second annual "Liberation Day" for unclaimed animals.

Animal Friends in Ohio Township will rescue as many dogs as possible from animal control facilities and groom, spay or neuter, vaccinate and otherwise ready them for adoption. Most of the prospective pets will be available July 11.

As part of the program, Operation Troop Appreciation will be there to collect donations of new or slightly used DVDs, CDs, video systems and games and unused AT&T International phone cards for overseas troops.

If your pet escapes over the long holiday weekend, call police and animal control agencies immediately. Then register your pet with Animal Friends' Lost and Found department by calling 412-847-8021. For a complete list of resources, visit the Lost and Found page of http://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/

Mary Jo Geibel, program technician for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Butler, says recent weather has provided good stretches of "hay days."

A good hay day is hot and sunny, with low humidity and a breeze, she wrote in a release from the farm service Monday.

Hay is the predominant crop in Western Pennsylvania. In Butler County alone, it accounts for more than 40,000 acres.

"Although hay making has become highly mechanized ... there still is a requirement of labor" that is often unavailable, she said. This is especially true with small square bales, which is why many operations use round bales or large square bales.

As one producer put it, she wrote, hay is a three-letter word for work.

Cranberry Public Library will offer story times to children who are challenged in their ability to focus and interact with others.

Special needs children, ages 2 through 5, with an adult caregiver are invited to these free story times from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays in July, starting next Thursday through July 30.

Meet in the children's room of the library at 2525 Rochester Road. The program will be led by Brenda Cole, a special education teacher with years of experience providing cognitive and behavioral therapy to children with developmental delays.

Space is limited and registration is required. Call 724-776-9100 Ext. 1124.

North Allegheny High School graduate Jake Herbert is enjoying quite a year. Herbert, who graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., won an NCAA wrestling championship in March and now he has qualified for the World Team Championships, which will take place in Denmark in September.

Sports, Page N-6