The hotter it gets, the less time Albie wants to spend outside. Oh sure, he chases the occassional chipmunk and the baby bunnies when they wander around the back yard. But his favorite spot seems to be right in front of the A/C vent.
Remember to keep lots of water for your pets, especially with this hot weather. Dogs and cats can both get heat stroke – especially light colored pets or pets with pink noses. Watch for panting, hyperventilation and confusion. And don’t walk your pup in the heat of the day – not only can they get heat stroke and sunburn but hot pavement can burn their paw pads. Before I walk Albie I always check the road to make sure it’s cool enough. Do I look funny? Probably. Do I care? No. It’s my job to keep him safe and healthy.
Technology now affords you new options for dog beds. If your dog gets really hot, is elderly, arthritic or injured you might want to consider one of the special canine cooling beds that absorb body heat and radiate back into the environment. There is the Canine Cooler and the Cool Bed III. Neither uses refrigeration or power to keep dogs cool. There is also a Gel-Pedic cat bed that helps cats stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
It seems like all the creatures in the animal world have their own ways of staying cool. In the spirit of the season, here is a video of twin baby moose playing in a sprinkler. It makes me want to get out and run through one too!
