07/10/2008: "Hot Summer Days"
It's blistering hot here!
Happy, lazy, hazy Summer days laying around the pool, sipping cool drinks and flaking out.
Hydro Therapy for Seniors!
Well, it's hot. May as well turn this into additional benefits.
Peeny Weeny gets her daily session of water works.
She has to paddle around at least 8 to 10 rounds of the pool.
We never leave the pool, and there's a large handle on the back of her safety vest, just in case she runs into trouble.
(We did forget to take the little pool toy out)
She gets to paddle-waddle around the pool. Buoyancy is an amazing and effective method to help get in the movement and exercise without having to aggravate any pre-existing injuries.
KEEPING DOGS COOL in EXTREME HEAT
1: Always make sure your dog has a fresh, plentiful supply of drinking water.
2: Keep your pets in doors or offer shaded, cool areas for them to stay out of the direct sun. A air conditioner, childproof fan, makes a wonderful companion.
3: Watch for Hot Pavement and Beaches- Sensitive paws burn easily.
4: If you can, sure, cool water is a a wonderful way to cool off in the hot Summer months
(remember that some breeds of dogs do not paddle well, so require safety flotation devices and loads of extra supervision)
5: Watch for signs of HEATSTROKE- Rapid panting, hot skin, twitching muscles, a dazed look. Wrap them in a towel soaked with cool, not cold, water. In severe cases, place them in the bathtub. Heatstroke can be fatal. See your vet as soon as possible.
6: Salt and minerals can damage a dog's coat. So after the plunge in a pool, ocean or lake, if you can, rinse off your dog with clear running water.
7: Sand at the beach is blistering hot for your dog's paws. Please remember that.
8: Protect your dogs from sunburn - It hurts. Short haired pets and those with pink skin and white hair are especially susceptible. Limit their exposure to the sun and the beaches.
9: Watch the Exercise and Diet- Don't encourage exercise during the hottest part of the day. And let them eat less. Overeating can lead to overheating.
Captain enjoying a nice, cool shower
Our dear Captain is pushing his head into that muzzle because inside is a huge, yummy piece of stinky cheese. This is our preferred method of training a dog to accept a muzzle. He loves his muzzle now and looks forward to having it on. Dear Captain needs his muzzle on once in a while, as he learns that his teeth weren't made for biting everything that comes close to him!