Above & Beyond: Cats, Dogs, etc.

My daily life is full of adventures with my 4-legged canines and felines, but my weekend life is always a bit more adventurous as I have the time to care for other animals.  

Weekend Adventures

My weekend started with a drop in visit to one of my favorite pups that I adore --- he has just moved into a new apartment complex with his family which means there is a lot to discover and learn!  There is a great little dog park in this community, and he has met a few other puppers to play with which means he will immediately steer his way toward that area.  I usually accommodate him, but do force him to walk a bit prior to playing with his friends.

My Saturday visits consisted of a drop in visit with a new pup that had quite a bit to talk about and then 3 kitties that were all quite sweet.  The talkative pup was quite precious and reminded me of me of my very first dog, Abby (may she RIP).  Abby had a lot to say as well, so it was as though she had been reincarnated.  

And the kitties --- cats are so incredibly unique and there is never a dull moment with them.  always a good time!

The topic for today is associated with the dog I walked on Sunday afternoon --- he is such a sweet, young and energetic black lab but it is quite obvious that he does not like the sun bearing down on him and seeks shade throughout our entire walk.  I will say that I was aware of the heat of the day and would not normally walk my dogs in these conditions, but I was asked to walk him and thus took the opportunity to do so to hopefully keep this precious pup safe.  With that said, it is important to realize safety tips that will keep your canine safe in hotter conditions.

Keeping Your Dog Safe in Hot Climates:

• Early morning or late evening is best for walks --- avoid walking at the hottest time of the day
• Check the temperature of asphalt before walks to prevent paw burns.
• Hydration, shade, and breaks are essential to prevent heat-related illness.
• Flat-faced (bull dogs, pugs), senior, and overweight dogs require extra precautions in hot weather.