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Summer's here!
Here in The South, summer
has come in early. The 90-plus degree temperatures in the afternoon have
already started, with everyone heading for
shade and air conditioning -
including our dogs. Wilson's ready for anything, but he wants to
remind everyone that the heat is especially hard on four-legged family
members. So here are a few reminders:
Get your dog a summer "do". Dogs with thick coats, like Wilson here, need to sport a shorter cut during the summer to help their bodies regulate temperature. Dogs release heat through their noses, the pads of their feet, and panting. Trimming them for the summer helps their bodies work more efficiently. A good length for a summer trim is 1" - short enough release some of the excess heat and long enough to help keep bugs and parasites from finding their way through to the skin.
Shade trees aren't just for working on cars. If your dog
enjoys being outside, make sure there is plenty of shade for him to lie
in. Many loving owners provide a dog house for their pet,
thinking they are providing their dogs with the very best. Dog
houses are great for the cold and rain, but not for heat and humidity
because there is no way for hot, muggy air to escape. Dogs need an outside shady area large enough to lay down in,
where the air can move. And as everyone knows, an adequate, fresh
supply of water is a must.
If it's too hot for you to walk on, it's too hot for your dog as well. As much as your dog loves to walk with you, remember the soles of their feet, the pads, can burn just as ours can. So if it's hot enough to fry an egg outside, wait for the sun to go down before starting that walk . . . or get up early and beat the heat all together.
Do not lock you dog in the car - even with the windows cracked. Most people already know this, but it bares repeating: on a mild summer day the heat in a car can climb to 120 degrees in just a few minutes, even with the windows cracked. Dogs' bodies were designed to conserve heat, not release it, so heat stroke can happen quickly.
Learn the signs of Heat Stroke. Learn the signs and how to prevent and treat heat stroke. Click here to learn more.
Let the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer begin!
Update on Miss Hope: Most of you visiting know about my foster dog, Miss Hope. Hope is as happy as ever, but she is recovering from another round of Pancreatitis. At least one liver count was so high it went off the register, so she was a very sick pup. I have to thank Dr. Gentry at Vilonia Animal Clinic who kept the faith when her prognosis was so bad, and also so many friends who sent prayers and good thoughts our way. Although she tires easily, she has regained a lot of her strength and is already running around the house body slamming Wilson when he gets out of line. So much for bed rest.
Financially speaking, this illness wiped us out and then some. So as always, if you would like to help in Hope's care, please consider donating. 100% of the donations will go directly to Miss Hope's medical care. In the meantime, I'd like say thanks to all of you who've helped support Hope and to Dr. Gentry and everyone at Vilonia Animal Clinic, who watched over her those days she was so sick and staying in their care. Hope loves you and so do I!
