| With the arrival of the hot summer we need to | | | | that like to lie on cold tiles to keep cool. |
| take extra precautions with the health and safety | | | | If your dog has a light coat or is shaved for |
| of our pets. Hot weather is the breed ground for | | | | summer, be aware that he can get sunburn. Try |
| ticks and fleas. Your pet will need more clean, | | | | to keep out of the sun as much as possible. |
| fresh drinking water and a cool place to rest. | | | | There is also sun protection made just for dogs. |
| Fourth of July fireworks can be a terrifying | | | | You can now find canine sunblock and sun |
| experience for your dogs. More dogs disappear | | | | protective clothing made just for Fido. |
| during this time than any other day in the year. | | | | Dogs get heat stroke more easily than their |
| Frightened dogs, thinking that their lives are in | | | | human companions do. If the weather is really hot |
| danger, will run off looking for safety and | | | | and Fido seems uncomfortable don't hesitate to |
| eventually get lost. | | | | cool him off with the garden hose. You might also |
| There are a few things that we need to keep in | | | | think about getting a plastic kiddie pool or large |
| mind | | | | pan that is big enough so Fido can splash about in |
| Check your dog for fleas and ticks. Ask you vet | | | | some cool water. |
| about prevention medication. If your pet is already | | | | NEVER and I do mean NEVER let your pet remain |
| infected your vet will tell you how to treat the | | | | in your car alone at all--even for a few minutes. |
| infestation. Always check your dog after Fido has | | | | The inside temperature of a car heats up so |
| been playing with other dogs. | | | | rapidly that it can go over 130 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Always have clean, fresh water available. Change | | | | within minutes. It can kill a child. It can kill a pet. |
| the water and make sure that it is cool. You may | | | | Fourth of July is the worst day of the year for |
| want to add a few ice cubes to keep the water | | | | Fido. He does not understand that the noise and |
| from getting too warm. If you are not able to | | | | fireworks are all just fun. To Fido this means the |
| change the water frequently you may wish to | | | | worst kind of danger. He will be frightened. Many |
| get an automatic watering device that keeps | | | | dogs run away at this time and get lost. More |
| drinking water fresh and clean. | | | | dogs are lost at this time that at any other. |
| Have a cool and shady place for your dog to rest | | | | Do not take you dog to any Fourth of July |
| during the hot day. Fido may prefer to stay | | | | celebration. Keep him at home, hopefully where he |
| indoors in an air conditioned room if you have one. | | | | will not be subjected to any great noise. |
| He will also need a shady place outdoors on a | | | | Take double precautions with Fido's collar and |
| porch or under some trees. You can also build a | | | | tags. Make sure that the collar fits well and all the |
| lean-to with a comfortable bed outside that Fido | | | | correct ID information is on the tags. Fido should |
| can has as his own private cool space. You might | | | | also have an Identification chip. In the event that |
| also consider one of the special cooling beds that | | | | Fido run away this will make it easier for him to |
| are filled with cold water. This is great for dogs | | | | be found. |