Summer for the Dogs

School is out and the parkway is packed, as are the beaches.

The smell of honeysuckle and backyard barbeques fill the air, the sun blinds our eyes and vegetable garden blooms fill our hearts. We kick up our feet after a hot summer day to enjoy the warm summer night filled with flashes of lightning bugs and well, it is still hot.

Not only does the summer heat bother us, but we cannot forget about our furry friends who, although they seem to enjoy running around the woods and in our backyards during the summer, need to be kept cool to avoid heat-stroke and dehydration.

So while we can fend for ourselves, let us explore ways to help our best friends have a cool, calm summer.

First things first; if you are searching for a friend to join your family, there is no better time then now to look. Dogs kept in shelters during the summer do not get to explore the great outdoors, take a dunk in the ocean or swim in your kiddy pool. While shelters take great care of them, especially at the , for these canines, there is no place like a new home.

If you are interesed in a pet, visit this site. While most of us are more active in the summer, remember, these pets will stay with you through the winter and need love year round.

So if you already have a dog, or are looking for one, you know summer can be great but also tough on our friends. They need to get plenty of exercise while also being kept cool.

You think you are sweating in 90 degree heat, check out the fur jacket your pooch has on!

Never leave your pet in the car. Even if your beloved pet loves to go on rides with you, it is best to leave it in the cool house or in a shady spot while you run errands. According to the ASPCA, you should always leave your pets inside if it is extremely hot out. In some states, including New Jersey, it is illegal to leave your pet in the car. In an online article done by the ASPCA, Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital explained that, "On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time—even with the windows open—which could lead to fatal heat stroke."

Give them water to drink. Your pet needs plenty of water to keep cool during the summer. While we also need water to keep cool because we sweat, your dog keeps cool by panting. The ASPCA explains that animals with flat faces like persian cats or pugs have a harder time panting and need to be kept in an air conditioned room. All pets also need to always have a bowl of water on hand. Your pet will keep himself cooler if you keep his bowl filled. Swimming is also a great way to keep your pooch cool, but, according to the ASCPA, you should introduce your pet slowly to water and always keep your eyes on it. If you are letting your dog swim in the pool, try and keep it from drinking the water filled with chlorine.

Make sure the dog is groomed. The other day, I pulled up to my apartment and notice my neighbor's dog had a new cut. She had his coat shaven to keep him cool in the summer. It is always a good idea to keep your long-haired dogs' coats shorter during the summer. The ASPCA says to keep the fur at least one inch so the does not get sunburned.

In a quote in a recent ASPCA article, Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA vice president of veterinary outreach, said, "symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees."

Always be aware of the symptoms and remember, if you are feeling too hot to leave the air conditioned house, your pet probably is too. That does not mean you cannot take it for a walk, but be sure to use the above recommendations.

Now it is time to put on your sunglasses, stick your feet in the kiddy pool and let your pup splash around with you.

For more information on taking care of your pets, check out the local blog written by the .