Don't Be A Statistic!!

We all love our dogs and love to take them with us everywhere.  They're just like our kids. They know how to push our buttons and make us feel guilty for leaving them behind.  It's gratifying to know that our dog would rather ride in the car with us rather than stay at home on their soft bed, right?  Since we are the owners and the dogs are... well,  the owned.... it's up to us to make the right decisions for their health and welfare rather than let our emotions do the talking. 

Taking your dog with you to the park or the beach can be a great time for everyone - as long as the beach or park allows dogs!  Getting thrown off a beach or out of a park can have a dampening effect on the fun of the day, to say the least.  Leaving your dog in the car can be life-threatening.  Just running into the store for a soda and snack and leaving your dog in the car for a few minutes can be dangerous to your pet

We have all heard the horrifying stories of dogs that are left in cars that have been found dead or dying from heat stroke.  It's a sad fact that even some children die this way each summer.  If you think - even for a moment - that you will out of the car for ANY reason, leave your dog at home.  Cars can become deadly ovens in just a few short minutes.  Any delay on your part can mean death for your best friend.  No one who has lost a pet in a hot car meant to kill their pet.  No one who has lost a dog from heat exhaustion meant to be gone more than just a minute or two. 

Dogs are unable to process excess body heat like humans.  They don't sweat like you and I do.  They pant and drool to keep their bodies at a controlled temperature, but the heat exchange capabilities are limited.  Particularly if the dog has any type of long hair on its body, being left in a hot car can mean death in a very short period of time.  Cracking the windows won't do any good, either.  There is not enough air moving from a cracked window to compensate for the sun beating down on the metal roof of the car and the heat generating up from the black asphalt parking lot. 

When you do take your best friend out for a summer walk in the park or a day playing at a dog-friendly beach, pack extra towels to dry sandy paws, water or ice cubes for a cooling drink and (if you have a pint-sized toy breed) a high-calorie snack after a long romp can keep blood sugar up and ensure a fun time by everyone. 

Stay cool during the summer and plan ahead to make sure your best friend does not suffer ill effects from overheating.  Don't be a tragic statistic.  Your dog will get over being left at home, but may not survive being left in the car.