While driving on a hot summer afternoon a few years, I passed a man walking two dogs. Something struck me about the bigger dog as wrong. He didn’t seem to be walking right, and it looked as if he was suffering way too much from the heat, even though the man was going slowly. So I stopped and backed up. I parked and got out of the car to see if I could offer them a ride.
The man noticed what was happening with the dog at that exact moment. We got the dog into my car just as he collapsed, and we raced to the nearest veterinarian — about 5 minutes away. They were excellent and rushed to help us when I screamed “heat stroke.” But it was too late — the dog, which was older, did not make it. When temperatures rise, walks can be dangerous for dogs, so take extra caution. Walk early in the morning or late at night, test the pavement with your hand before setting out, carry water, take frequent breaks in shady spots and never make dogs wear muzzles that restrict their breathing. Cooling vests such as Ruffwear’s Swamp Cooler can help keep dogs comfortable.
For more weather-related tips, visit www.peta.org. Ingrid E. Newkirk President PETA
Washington, D.C.