Summer Activities for Fido and You

It's summertime, and the livin' is easy! Summertime comes with a variety of fun activities that we can undertake with our furry canine companions. But with reports of heat advisories from many parts of the country, we need to be careful about which activities we choose.  So what can we do to protect "man's best friend" from the dog days of summer?

We just have to plan ahead! By taking a few precautions, we can make a trip to the beach enjoyable and safe for Fido. When I see dogs running through the surf at our dog beach, I have to smile because they seem to be so full of joy. But the sand that lies between the water and our parking spot is sometimes hot enough to burn my feet right through my sandals. So how can a dog walk on the hot sand with bare paws?

A good idea is to take dogs to the beach early in the morning—before the sun's heat makes the sand impossible to walk on. Be sure to rinse the salt and sand off them in order to keep their skin's moisture in and any itchiness out. Ditto for chlorine pools. Chlorine should be rinsed off completely—it can dry out their skin and burn their eyes. And don't encourage Fido to swim if he doesn't want to—not all dogs are good swimmers or enjoy splashing about.

If you're the type of person who likes to attend festivals or other outdoor events (including demonstrations), think twice before bringing your dog. Standing in the hot sun for a few hours while listening to music or holding a placard declaring your opposition to pet stores might be your idea of a good time, but Fido probably has other ideas. Laying about in the air conditioning is probably one of them.

Resist the urge to leave your dog in the car alone while you run into the store "for just a sec." Tragedy often results. Here are some great tips on keeping your dog safe on longer road trips.

Make plenty of cold water available to dogs in the summertime—they can become dehydrated, just as humans can. Know the signs of heat stroke.

If you really want to spend some quality summer moments with your dog, think about what he or she would want. Consider a dog party!

As you plan your summer activities, keep in mind that dogs are not that much different from us—if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog.

Have any suggestions for cool summertime activities to share with your dog?