Opinions needed?

I'm still conflicted! Sorry this is so long

Rainy became part of our family when she was 4 years old. She just turned 8 last month. She has a 2/6 - 3/6 heart murmur and some environmental/diet related allergies. other than that she is as healthy as a horse. Loves her walks, meeting people, going to new places, chasing a lure pole, running in the yard, etc.

She's always been an unflappable rock in every situation. She 100% helped our nervous half spooky second pup that we brought home. I've had her at gun ranges, lived in questionable areas where gun shots, car backfiring, and fireworks were a typical occurrence in the ghetto.

Last July 4th we were traveling and the neighbors started shooting off fireworks and she freaked! Ironically my shy little girl was 100% calm and fine. The year before the dogs were in a n Xpen when the neighbors started shooting off a 12 gauge and we all just lounged eating string cheese. So a loud noise in that area isn't a new thing.  It was so bad that I had to leash her inside because I thought she would go through a window. We spent hours on a bed leashed up and she just shook and shook and shook and panted.  Chalked that up to a weird incident and moved on.

When we got back home she would spook and shake at any loud noise that happened outside. We were still living the ghetto and it was a common occurrence. She eventually with time and melatonin got a little better.

Then we moved! Both dogs had 0 adjustment period to the new place and walked in loving it. We travel just about every weekend 9 months of a year so both girls are very travel savvy .

Our new fireplace crackling sends Rainy into a panic. She howls, yips, pants, freaks out, etc. I've tried giving her some of the shy one's Xanax and it doesn't react well with her. She still gets freaked only is too drunk to maneuver around safely.

It's been a year since this has started. Friday night they were both in the outdoor dog kennel at the campground and someone started shooting off fireworks and she freaked. Didn't yip/howl for too long but panted paced and was bug eyed for well over an hour after the last bang went off. These are not loud noise occurrences that I can plan around.

Add in that about 6 months ago she started getting bug eyed and panting frantically in the car. We travel often and she has always panted and stood but it's been more excited rather than panicked. She now needs extra encourage ment and focusing to get her to jump into the car. She tries to avoid it, so she is not enjoying our car rides anymore.

We have a vet app on Saturday. I've tried using venison to help her overcome her fear of the crackling fireplace and I've gotten mixed results. She will be ok one day then loose her mind the next it seems. My gut says that I should probably talk to the vet about some medication for her... I'm big on having well adjusted socialized relaxed dogs. Anxiety is a horrible thing to have to deal with every day.

Then in the back of my mind there is a voice going "You already have 1 dog on meds for the rest of her life most likely, am *I* causing this somehow"

Am I crazy? Any suggestions on what I should tell the vet? I'm planning on having bloodwork done with some thyroid checking. Should we explore some anxiety meds? Or give it more time to see if she straightens out? It's already been almost a year... Is this a normal part of aging for some greyhounds? She sure doesn't act old...