Hot Time in a Cool Town!

It looks like it’s going to be a stellar summer! And while, with that, comes plenty of reason for rejoicing, those of us who are owned by canine companions have reason to be anxious, as well. Dogs are much more prone to heatstroke than many people think. But it’s well worth preventing because, once you’ve seen it, you’ll never want to have your pooch experience it again!

Of course, never (ever, ever) leave your dog unattended in a car, but even when you're out together on a hot day, keep an eye out for the following signs:

• Heavy panting • Elevated body temperature  • Excessive thirst Weakness, collapse • Glazed eyes Increased pulse and heartbeat • Vomiting, bloody diarrhea • Seizures • Bright or dark red tongue, gums • Excessive drooling • Staggering • Unconsciousness

With all the warnings out of the way, there are lots of fun things you can do with your pooch to embrace those dog days of summer. Every dog enjoys a day at the lake or the beach, where there is plenty of opportunity to splash around in the cooling water.

The beach a little too out of the way? It's easy to transform your backyard into a canine watermark. A child’s plastic pool is a lot of dog’s idea of summer heaven. For added fun, choose toys that can be filled with water and frozen, offering fun refreshment over a number of hours.

Many cities now show movies outside on large screens during the summer. In most cases, your dog will be welcome.