By Marlene Ratledge Buchanan
SNELLVILLE, Ga. | Please do me a favor? Take off your shoes and stand on the pavement for three minutes. Now, play fair and do this in the hot part of the day.
Buchanan
How did you enjoy that? Are your toes tingly pink? Did you feel the sizzle of summer?
Now consider your dog? He hasn’t the option to get off the pavement if he is tethered to you with a leash. You, in your shoes, enjoy walking and looking around you. He, in his paws, enjoys being with you because he loves you. You love him? Get him off that hot pavement! He is closer to the ground so he is also getting all the reflective heat. You think you are hot? Think about your pet, not just about yourself.
Most people think of their pets as a member of the family? Then treat him like one. If he has to walk on the street with you, then put little booties on him. Better yet, love him and leave him at home. He could care less about that festival you are so keen to attend. You can search for dog booties on the Internet.
I was at a festival recently. I saw dogs in strollers and dogs on the verge of heat exhaustion. My book table was under a huge tree and we had good shade. There was not one dog that didn’t lay down in that shade as soon as he reached it. It was too hot to be in the sun and on that pavement.
Some owners, very few, had water for their four legged loved one. I promised myself I would bring water and a bowl the next time I was at an event like this. You, dear pet owner, should do that for your animal. He is your responsibility. Do not fill a metal bowl with water and sit it in the sun. It takes only five minutes to heat up.
And why would you even consider leaving your pet in a car? Think about it.
Heat stroke in pets is very real and can happen very quickly. You are required by law to provide shelter and care for your pets. They need cool water for hydration. Signs of overheating of animals include heavy panting, excessive thirst, glazed eyes, thick saliva and rapid heart rate, among others.
Remember, it is against the law to tether or chain a dog. Heed the law if you can’t heed your heart.
And here is one more rant. I know you were not planning on me being ugly, but sometimes I just have to tell you the truth. And the truth can be ugly. Animals are frightened of fireworks. Keep them inside the house. They do not understand. They run when scared and they get disoriented by the sounds and lights of the fireworks. Keep them secure in your house, but of course, not your car.
Have a safer summer for you and your pets. And don’t make me have to be ugly again!
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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