avoiding heat stroke

AVOIDING HEAT STROKE
The first step is to avoid putting you and your dog in a situation where they can succumb to heat. No trips to the hot beach, no stay in the car while I run in and do an errand and no lets go for a walk on a beautiful day.
When we first moved down to Florida, we were driving in Hobe Sound.  It was a brutally hot August day and we were driving north on US 1. We spotted a guy carrying a six pack of beer and a Boxer lurching about behind him. We could tell something was wrong and turned our car around.
We pulled over and moved quickly to save this dog that was obviously exposed to brutal heat for too long. We grabbed cold water that we had  in a cooler and a collapsible dog bowl. The dog drank and then we put him inside our car with the AC blasting.  In our discussion with the owner, it turned out that he wanted some beer and decided to go for a walk and bring his dog.  He was about a mile from home. 
After about fifteen minutes, the dog cooled down and he was hydrated. If we had not pulled over, the dog most likely would have died by the time they returned home. The thought that his dog could have died in the heat simply did not occur to the owner. Do not take your buddy on long walks, running or jogging if it’s  hot out!  It doesn’t matter that your dog would enthusiastically embrace any activity - they just want to be with you and don’t know any better.
 
Always have plenty of water available when driving with your pet. You never know when your car may die down here. And even if you don’t have your companion with you, bring water - you never know if you’ll run across someone in need. 
 
HELP
If you find yourself in a position where your dog is exposed to heat and hot sun for an extended period of time, here’s what to look for when monitoring your dog for heat related problems. It is important to know the signs that your companion is in distress.

• Dog may appear to be confused, stumble, or disoriented.
• Gums will redden and/or will be dry
• Increased panting
• Your dog is unwilling to move. Laying down
• Inability to stand (story of boxer)
• Saliva is thick, pasty

The best way to avoid heat stroke is avoid going outside between 10 and 3:00 p.m. to avoid the hottest periods of the day. Keep your animals safe and keep wagging everyone!