My Dog is Cool

is yours?

Thousands of dogs die from heat stroke each year. Many of these cases can be easily prevented.

A few weeks ago I was at the local Pathmark on an emergency veggie hot dogs mission and found just that… an emergency involving several very HOT dogs. Multiple people had left their dogs in closed cars on a day where it was 90 degrees at 5 in the evening. Studies have shown that if it is 90 degrees outside it could be 115 degrees (Fahrenheit of course) inside a closed car. Luckily several people were rising to this occasion. Multiple concerned customers had already called the police. They had collected what they could from their own cars (cardboard boxes, sunscreens, etc.) to shade the car. One well-meaning bystander had found the passenger door unlocked and opened it to let more air in. They had provided water but the dog would not come out to them. I had my own doggie to take care of so I couldn’t stay but the 3 or 4 concerned citizens were clearly not going anywhere until the police got there to take care of the dog. But lots of dogs don’t get that chance.

What should you do?

First, never do this to your dog. Even with the car windows down, your car will act like a greenhouse on a sunny day and the temperature inside your car could be twenty degrees hotter than it is outside. If you will have to leave your car for more than five minutes, please leave your animals at  home. They will be happier, and so will you.

Second, make sure no one else does this to their dogs. Check out http://mydogiscool.com for important information and ways to help. You can print or buy the United Animal Nations’ “Don’t Leave Me in Here- It’s Hot!” fliers to distribute as a reminder that leaving your animals in the car can be fatal.

Here, PETA’s http://www.HelpingAnimals.com provides helpful tips for preventing heat stroke for your animals.

Here is a good check list for summer travel for your favorite furry companion, http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2098&aid=832