Hello Readers,

We're heading into those long dog days of summer, and there's just nothing better than spending time outside with the dogs. You just can't help but be happy when you see dogs running, playing, and splashing in the water! Here are a few tips on how to keep your dog cool and safe during the hot summer months:

• Reserve exercise for the cooler mornings and evenings, after the sun has gone down. Avoid the mid-day sun... most dogs will find it's much too hot for heavy exercise, and hot sun or hot pavement can burn their paws too. Be careful not to over-do the exercise on hot days.

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Bring lots of cool, fresh water for your dog wherever you go. Offer it regularly. To help prevent water from becoming warm in the summer sun, freeze it first. It will melt slowly throughout the day, keeping the water cool for your dog.

• Know your dog's abilities. Older dogs, dogs with health issues, and dogs with push-in faces (like pugs, pekingese, boxers, etc) should be be monitored extra carefully. They are unable to regulate heat as easily as other dogs and are more prone to heat stroke.

• Know the signs of heat stroke in dogs. These include heavy panting, rapid breathing, drooling, a glassy-eyed gaze, confusion, inattentiveness, and uncoordination or staggering. As heat stroke progresses, it can also lead to dry, tacky gums, shallow breathing, vomiting and diarrhea. If you suspect heat stroke in your dog, move him immediately to a cool, shady spot or an air conditioned home. Apply cool, wet towels to your dog (note, use cool water, not cold). You can use ice too, but make sure to wrap the ice in towels first before pressing it against your dog. If you have a fan available, turn it on to help cool your dog. Offer cool water to drink. Then call your vet for further instructions.

• Don't trim your dog's fur too short. Long fur can help to insulate a dog from the heat, not just from the cold! And shaving a dog's fur too short can also make him suspectible to sun burn.

• Always supervise your dog near water. Although many dogs love to splash in the water and go for a swim, just as many don't enjoy it and are not good swimmers. Make sure your pooch doesn't accidentally step into deeper water than he's comfortable with. Be careful that he doesn't fall into pools, and if you're going out onto a boat, use a doggy lifejacket to help keep him safe.

• Don't leave dogs in the car or truck. Aside from being unsafe, don't allow dogs to bed in the back of a pick-up truck - the metal heats up quickly and is just as uncomfortable for a dog as it would be for a person. And don't leave your dog alone in the car, even if you park in the shade and crack the windows open. The interior of a car heats up very quickly. Have someone stay with the dog, or leave the air conditioner on for him and check him frequently to make sure he's still doing well. Better yet, leave him at home in air-conditioned comfort!

• A plastic wading pool or kiddie pool are great ways to cool off a dog. Place it in a shady spot and fill it with a couple of inches of water. Dogs will appreciate being able to lay with the cool water on their bellies!

Keep your fingers crossed for beautiful, sunny weather! See you in a couple of weeks for our photos issue - please send us your pet photos!

- Angela, Newsletter Editor
On behalf of Rundle, the Pet Friendly CEO (Chief Eating Officer)