Dog Blog

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

DEHYDRATION AND OVERHEATING


I see a lot of people exercising their pets mid-day on these extremely hot days and worry about the dogs because their people sure don't seem to be.  Of course, a lot of people don't have much sense about how to exercise themselves safely when the mercury rises to triple digits and air quality sucks, but their dogs don't have any say in the matter.  They'll obediently trot alongside their  owners until they drop.  Please don't make them do that!  The dangers of dehydration and overheating in summer can put your dog at risk of illness or death.  Learn the warning signs to look for. Here's advice from the AKC Canine Health Foundation. They talk mostly about field dogs, but the advice applies to all dogs.

AND DON'T LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR ON HOT DAYS, AT ALL!  ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS DOES NOTHING.  MY DOG IS COOL.  IS YOURS? 

Monday, July 14, 2014

PASTELS ON HIGH 

International Exhibition 2014

Reception: 8/30/2014 1PM to 3PM
Location: The Sacramento Fine Arts Center

5330 Gibbons Drive
Carmichael CA

"Luna"
Sierra Pastel Society 'PASTELS ON HIGH International Exhibition
Juror of selection: Gerald Boyd
Reception planned for Saturday, August 30, 2014 from 1 PM to 3PM.

Tuesday, July 08, 2014

BLACK & WHITE


It was a good day to cool the dogs off in the yard with a bath, though we never use ice cold water from the faucet. We only use tepid and then a cool rinse. We tried to made quick work of it to avoid wasting water so the golf courses can be kept lush and green.  Beau used to balk at bath time, due to PTSD (Post Traumatic Shelter Disorder) from his incarceration at the Stockton dog pound, where he was probably hosed regularly.  Now he loves his bath; well, likes it more, anyway.  Both he and Peaches enjoyed it this noontime and lay on the front lawn afterward--splendor in the grass for wet dogs on a hot day.

The sun was intense once the clouds parted.  It was so hot I felt like a bug under a mean kid's magnifying glass.  Humans must have finally destroyed Earth's ozone layer.  I took shelter under the small shady patch from the birches while the dogs dried off some.  After only a few minutes in the sun, Peaches, who has a predominantly black coat began to pant. Beau, who is mostly white, was not panting at all.  Soon, Peaches had had enough sunshine and came over to where I was to sit in the shade with me.  A couple of minutes later, I decided they'd dried off enough and we went back in the house where it was cool.

I hope that the people I see running their dogs around town on these hot days remember how quickly they can overheat, especially if the dog has a black coat like my Peaches does.  Unless you're a mad dog or an Englishman, for mercy's sake stay out of the noonday sun, and protect your best friend from it, too.     

Monday, July 07, 2014

MADE IT!


I hope everyone and their dogs made it safely through the festivities of the 4th of July.  I suspect Beau must either be going deaf, or he just doesn't react to fireworks like he used to.  No shiver shakes and hiding in my bed.  He didn't get upset, and there was no need to dose him with Rescue Remedy.  I heard a lot of loud, illegal fireworks going off, so I'm surprised but very happy my sweet, old boy didn't freak out this year. 

On another note, I'm thrilled to announce that one of my pastel paintings has been accepted into the "Pastels on High" International Exhibition.  Here's more information:  Sierra Pastel Society.

 

Friday, July 04, 2014

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!


Here's wishing you all a happy 4th of July.  Make sure it's happy for your dog, too.  This will be a busy day at the shelters when dogs that freak out from fireworks escape their yards.  Their hearing is so sensitive compared to ours, so it's important to consider that during summer activities like this one and outdoor concerts with loud music.  Imagine what torture that must be for a dog's sensitive ears. 

The lucky dogs will survive long enough tonight to make it to a shelter and not be killed when they dash into traffic. Hopefully, that pet has been microchipped to insure his safe return home should he escape his yard. The luckiest ones will have guardians who take extra precautions to ensure their pets are not upset by this noisiest of American celebrations.  So, get out the Rescue Remedy or whatever medication your vet recommends to calm Rover, or if you're like us, you hang around at home to make sure they're safe.