The Long Hot Summer

It's that time of year when dogs like me with a thick coat really feel the heat when we're outdoors. And I recently read in Dog Fancy magazine that snub-nosed breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs can't tolerate heat at all and might even die suddenly from walking around at high noon! Yikes! I think I'll keep to the shade. As you know, we don't have sweat glands which explains the heavy panting which is our way of perspiring to keep cool. If you have a pool and your best friend has never experienced swimming don't leave him alone near it. Despite our penchant for the dog paddle we can drown, too. Summer is also a time when owners are spraying all kinds of chemicals to kill weeds and bugs on their lawns and gardens. We can easily get this stuff on our coat or in our paws. Then when we lick it goes in our mouth. Let liquid chemicals dry before you let us out to play and roll around. Lastly, be sure to keep up on the flea and tick and heartworm preventitives. Until next time..... Woof!