I've Stopped Walking

So the dogs have too.



I like this shot, it's a very, very hot sunny day, but we'll all cool and chilled in the shade. I stopped walking to offer them some water, and good as gold, they all gathered round me and stopped too, just as I've taught them.

Bless.

Offer water little and often as you walk, remembering to have some yourself too. Some of the dogs I can just squirt water and they'll lap the stream, but others haven't quite got that hang of that yet, so I still carry a fold up bowl. Lots of country parks have water available for the dogs, but unless there is a tap I can use to refill a bowl I avoid using shared water. Often it's full of other dogs saliva, and not only will some dogs refuse this, veterinary advice is shared water bowls can spread disease.

Sad Fate of two Police Dogs

Police dogs die in parked vehicle

Despite all the warnings coming from the dog community, two police dogs died this week after being left in a car. The handler was off duty, and it's unknown if they were in a private car or an offical dog vehicle.

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is saddened to hear about the death of two German Shepherd dogs who were found in a vehicle parked outside the Headquarters of Nottinghamshire Police on Tuesday.

Whilst the cause of death is still to be determined, the charity would like to remind dog owners and police dog handlers that leaving your dog locked in a car can prove fatal, particularly during a heatwave. It can take just twenty minutes for a dog to die and temperatures can reach over 40 degrees in some vehicles.

Dogs Trust has compiled three essential tips for owners to help their dogs beat the heat:

Walk your dog in the morning and evening when the weather is cooler and make sure shady spots and drinking water are available.

Clip the fur of particularly hairy hounds and apply canine sun cream to areas most likely to burn: ears, nose, and belly. Human suncream can be toxic so buy a special pet version from your local pet shop.

Be extra vigilant with older and overweight dogs as they are more prone to overheat. In a real emergency wet your dog thoroughly and use a household fan to blow cool air over their head and body. Seek urgent veterinary attention.

If your dog shows signs of distress – such as excessive panting, blueness of the tongue or collapse contact your local vet immediately.

Today I had a chat with the owner of a Bulldog I walk. Even 8am in the morning is beginning to be too hot for him, so if this heat keeps up we've discussed shorter walks at an earlier time.

It's not difficult. How can a police officer, trained to handle dogs, have any excuse for what happened to those poor dogs?

NEVER leave your dog in the car in warm weather. Just twenty minutes waiting in a hot car can prove fatal.

Dogs Die As RSPCA Urges Owners Not To Leave Dogs In Hot Cars

As temperature soars, so do calls about dogs left alone in the heat.

The RSPCA is renewing its plea to owners to not leave their pets in hot cars as dogs are losing their lives in the crippling heat.

A tragic incident happened yesterday after two dogs were in a car in Nottingham on one of the hottest days of the year. It has also been reported that a dog died after being left in a car in Chichester during the hot weather at the end of last week.

The RSPCA has been inundated with calls from members of the public who are worried about animals which have been trapped in hot environments such as cars or gardens without shade. The Society received a whopping total of 1,058 calls with concerns for the welfare of dogs in the hot weather throughout June. 109 of those calls were taken on Monday (June 29) when temperatures topped 30 degrees. More than 250 calls were also received regarding other animals suffering in the heat.

Pet owners are being reminded to never leave an animal in a car at any time during hot weather. Temperatures can dramatically increase and rise to as much as 47 degrees in less than an hour. Airconditioned cars can reach the same temperature as outside within just five minutes of the system being turned off.

Many owners believe that leaving a car window open or a bowl of water nearby is enough but in reality this will make virtually no difference and the dog is still in serious danger of literally being cooked alive.

RSPCA chief veterinary adviser Mark Evans said: “A hot car can be a death trap for dogs, it is as simple as that. Leaving your dog in a car, even on an average warm, even cloudy summer day, can put your pet at huge risk of suffering and even death.

“This is not a new warning, but sadly too many people still don’t appreciate how dangerous it can be to leave a dog in a hot car, conservatory or caravan. Don’t let your dog be the one to find out the hard way.”

Animals & hot weather – RSPCA tips & information:
• All dogs will suffer in extreme heat, but some are more prone to heatstroke than others. Dogs that are
old, young, short nosed, long-haired, overweight or heavily muscled are more at risk, as well as dogs with certain diseases.
• Particular breeds of dog, such as flat-faced pug dogs and bulldogs are also particularly susceptible to heat stoke.
• Owners should also bear in mind that dogs can suffer from heat stroke at any time, such as when they are out for a walk. It is therefore advised that they are kept out of the midday sun and taken out for a walk in the early morning or evening to avoid the temperature extremes.
• Pets should also not be left in conservatories, outbuildings or caravans during the hot weather as it poses the same risk.
• Owners who fear their dog may be suffering from heat stroke should act with great urgency. Warning signs include overly red or purple gums, a rapid pulse, vomiting and diarrhoea, lack of co-ordination and a reluctance or inability to rise after collapsing or suffering seizures.
• Pets should be moved to a cooler spot straight away before ringing your vet for advice immediately.
• Under the Animal Welfare Act, those found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal face a fine of up to £20,000 and/or a six-month custodial sentence.