dogdaze

I just heard a horrible story about a woman who left her two beloved dogs in the car with the windows partially rolled down while she went sightseeing. Because it was an overcast day, she assumed they would be okay. When she returned, both of her dogs were dead after succumbing to the high humidity and heat.

What was this woman thinking? It’s obvious to me that she wasn’t thinking at all. If she truly loved her dogs, in my opinion, she never would have left them inside her car for even a short time.

I’m sick of hearing stories like this. Will people ever learn NOT to leave their dogs in a vehicle for any period of time during warm, even cloudy days? Tragically, the poor dogs are the ones that suffer. The woman will probably get some new dogs to replace her old ones.

Folks, if you’ve never heard this before, please NEVER leave your pets inside a vehicle, even for 15 minutes. The extreme heat can kill your dog in this short time period. And don’t think it’s okay if you leave the air condition running in your car because even a vehicle can overheat and die in warm/hot weather.

Several years ago, I read a story about a police dog that was left in the patrol car with the air condition running while the officer went in the station for a short time. While the police officer was inside the station the patrol car died and the police dog suffered the consequences.

If these tragic stories save just one dog, than it’s worth retelling. Feel free to pass this advice along to everyone, not just dog lovers.

Keep your four-legged friends safe.

Now that summer is here it’s time to start talking vacations. A vacation doesn’t have to be long to be fun it can be a simple weekend getaway. And what’s a weekend getaway without your best bud?

Here are some things to remember if you plan to take your dog along on any vacation this summer:

First, be sure your dog wears a collar with proper ID tags that have your permanent address and all phone numbers. It’s a good idea to bring along a photo of your dog in case he gets lost so you can put up posters with his picture on them. A lot of people don’t think about this but losing your pet on vacation can ruin the family experience for everyone.

Before you hit the road, remember to give your dog a light meal and limit their water intake. Some dogs get car sick because they drink too much water before a trip. Don’t forget your dog’s favorite chew toy; it can help keep him entertained while on the road.

Love your dog enough to put him in a restraining harness. This will help keep him stable in the event of a sudden stop. It also will prevent him from sticking his head out the window, which is very unsafe. If a small rock hits and cracks your windshield, imagine the damage it can do to your dog.

Last but not least, never ever leave your dog or any other pet in a vehicle in warm or hot weather because even if the windows are open the temperature inside the vehicle rises to deadly levels fast.

I hate to see dogs waiting inside a hot car while their owners are inside a nice, cool restaurant. In situations like this, it’s best to leave your four-legged friend back at the hotel instead of in your car. If you have to eat while traveling, try the drive-thru of your favorite fast-food restaurant.

Wherever you vacation this summer, make it a fun family experience by following these simple tips. Stay safe, buckle up!

With the Fourth of July just two weeks away there’s one thing pet owners should know — dogs don’t like fireworks!

I found this out many years ago when I took my young fox terrier to a Fourth of July celebration at a local park. He had a great time during the day with all the people, food and festivities. But as soon as the fireworks started my dog, Bo, freaked out. Thank goodness he was on a leash otherwise he’d have run away and gotten lost in the big crowd.

We cut our celebration short and took our scared little dog home. Even in the car watching the fireworks in the sky scared him. He trembled for hours afterward. That was the first and last time we took him along for the Fourth of July fireworks show.

If you love your dog, leave him at home and indoors during the fireworks this Independence Day. If you’re going out, leave the television or stereo on to muffle the noise of the fireworks. Be sure to close your blinds or curtains so your dog doesn’t see the fireworks exploding in the sky. Some dogs can be distracted from the noise by a favorite toy or chew treat.

If your dog stays outdoors, the best thing to do is to bring him indoors for the night or at least during the fireworks show.

It’s that time of year when snake bites are common in dogs, especially dogs that live outdoors with access to woods, pastures, creeks, lakes or stock ponds.

My Labradors love to go swimming in my neighbor’s large stock pond, where I suspect a couple of them have been bitten by snakes in the past.

Most of the snake bites I have seen in dogs are bites to the head or neck areas. Common snakes in this part of Texas are rattlesnakes, copperheads and water moccasins.

It’s fairly easy to determine if a dog has been bitten by a snake because of the two puncture wounds and blood at points of entry. There also will be lots of swelling and pain in the bite area. Other signs your dog has been bitten by a snake include weakness, vomiting, tremors and depressed respiration.

If you suspect your dog has been bitten by a snake, take immediate action by restricting your dog’s movement. Never try to aspirate the venom. Seek immediate veterinary attention for your dog.

Dogs need baths just like we do, only not as often.

Forest, my sister’s dog, actually likes baths. He’s been getting them since he was a puppy. He even has his own bath towel and rubber duck!

In case you haven’t noticed, ticks are everywhere this year. I’ve found big, fat ticks on my dogs as well as tiny round ticks that resemble specs of dirt. I hate ticks! Just looking at them makes my skin crawl.

I love my dogs too much to let them have ticks. You should too. Happy tick hunting!

It’s almost summertime and do you know what that means? It means that animal shelters across the nation will be filled to capacity with puppies, kittens, dogs, cats and other animals who need good homes.

Who can resist that cute little puppy or furry kitten? You should if you don’t plan to make and keep a longtime commitment to that puppy or kitten.

If you seriously are thinking about adopting a pet from a shelter, don’t overlook the older, adult dogs because they need just as much love and attention as the little ones do. Choose a dog that is right for you. If you are active, look for an active, playful breed of dog. If you prefer more subdued activities, look for a dog that will be a good companion as you putter around the house or watch television.

If you can’t adopt an animal from your local shelter, at least do the smart thing and get those dogs and cats you own spayed or neutered. By doing this, you are being a responsible pet owner and not contributing to the already exploding overpopulation of unwanted dogs and cats.

If you don’t own a dog (or cat), you’re missing out on a lot of love and companionship.

Want a friend? Adopt a dog!

If you have a dog that stays outside be sure to provide it with adequate shelter from the weather. There are some good dog houses on the market that help our furry friends stay safe, dry, warm and/or cool, depending on the time of year.

If you can’t bring your dog inside the house permanently, then invest in a quality dog house. This is just one way to show your dog that you are just as devoted to him as he is to you.

In the fall and winter months when it gets cold out, put some hay or cedar chips down in your dog’s house to help keep him warm and cozy during those chilly days and nights. Some dog houses are equipped with flaps over the door to keep the wind and rain out of the house, providing even more shelter.

In the summertime, when temperatures start climbing, provide your outside pet with a well-constructed dog house near a nice shade tree. The shade of a good tree not only will shield your dog from direct sunlight but it will help keep him cooler and happier during the hot summer months.

Don’t forget to give your dog fresh drinking water every day and make sure his water bowl can’t be easily knocked over, depriving him of much-needed water. I love those sturdy stainless-steel food and water bowls. They cost a little more but are worth it!

If it’s really hot outside, put a handful of ice cubes in your dog’s water bowl to keep the water cool longer.

Show your outside dog extra love and attention. Play fetch for 30 minutes a day, take him for a nice walk or just sit next to him and let him know you’re there. It’s important that dogs interact with people, this keeps them happy, healthy and well-adjusted.