PET OF THE WEEK: Tristan is an adorable, nearly 2-year-old terrier/Chihuahua mix who has spent half his life at our shelter; he’s ready to find a home. Preferably with another dog or two! While a little shy, he is at ease and far more outgoing, playful and spunky when he’s around canine buddies. Ask for ID# A808684.
Adoptable pets are available at Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA’s Tom and Annette Lantos Center for Compassion, 1450 Rollins Road, Burlingame. For information, call 650-340-7022 or visit www.phs-spca.org. (Thelma Andree / Peninsula Humane Society)
Dear Miss Behavin’: Do you have any suggestions on caring for my dog in this heat?
Reply: Hot weather can take a toll on our dogs just like it does for us humans. Here are a few tips for staying cool and keeping it together this summer.
Instead of taking one long walk each day, break it up into two or three shorter walks, preferably in the morning or evening when it’s cooler. During your walk, place your hand on the ground, especially if it’s a hard surface, to make sure it’s not too hot. If you can’t walk barefoot on the ground because of the heat, your dog shouldn’t either.
Your dog should have access to water at all times. Dogs pant and cool their bodies differently than we do, and they can’t ask you to refill their bowl if it’s empty. Keep the bowl full, or add a second water dish if you have a hard time remembering. This is especially important for multiple dog households and dogs who have thick, long coats.
Speaking of water, your dog will likely consume more water than she does in the cooler months. This means she’ll need to go to the bathroom more. To avoid any accidents in the house, give her more access to the backyard or potty walks as needed. If she drinks a lot of water after a walk, don’t be surprised if she needs to potty an hour or so later.
If your dog spends time outside in the backyard, she should have access to shade and water at all times. If it’s too hot for you to be outside, it’s definitely too hot for her. For those dogs who love to sun bathe, you might need to cut the sunning sessions short, especially if your dog is panting.
Lastly, there are a few “cool” tricks you can try to keep your dog entertained in the heat. Ice cubes and dog popsicles will keep your dog busy while a plastic kids pool might give her a chance to really cool off.