Hounded by the Heat

When the pavement's too hot for our bare feet, please have pity on your dog's paws. We're walking around with minimal clothing, but the heat is tough on our furry friends, and it pains me to see people walking their pets midday, especially on the blacktop.

Mr. Darcy keeps questioning me with those big brown eyes, "Why aren't we going for our noon walk, Mom? Why are all the windows and doors closed? And why is that machine making noise switching on & off?"

My response? Check it out for yourself, buddy. A few seconds outdoors and boy, he's jumpin' back through his doggy-door and luxuriating in the AC.

Wish we could take them to the beach for wet shoreline run, but don't think that's gonna happen in my lifetime. So we try for shady play-dates and little plastic kiddie pools. Some of our dog friends, like Cosmo and puppy Stella, can't wait to jump in and splash around. Others, like my boy, are totally spooked by those huge water bowls. We humans make fools of ourselves trying to coax them in. I get in and make "happy" sounds, flash treats and even sing my siren's song, all to no avail. Emma will only get in when Meg's in the tiny pool with a rubber ducky. 

Everybody's walking early morning and at sunset, so we're meeting our neighbors and trying to figure out new ways to keep our dogs happy during the heat.

Have a cool way to cool off your canines? Please share!

P.S. On a recent visit to RescueInk, Johnny described their plans to renovate the facility. If you've never been, or haven't been back lately, go take a look (and buy one of their great t-shirts). We're lucky to have a shelter like this in Long Beach. (www.rescueink.com)