Where did spring go and why is it HOT?
Hi, all, Lily the Corgi here. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Here, we're enjoying our backyard a great deal more than before. My daddy has this very large, very old, very loud thing he calls a lawn mower that he would drive around the yard from time to time; its purpose was the cut grass and terrorize doggies. Over the years, this thing was still quite terrifying but it did a worse and worse job at cutting the grass. A couple of weeks ago, daddy finally admitted the old loud thing had given all it had, so he went to the store and got a new lawn mower. This one is smalller, quieter, and bright red--I think that makes daddy feel like he's going faster. This new lawn mower has been cutting our grass so nice and short, it is fun to go out in the yard to sniff and explore again! I still don't like that we have to go in the house when daddy drives it, but the parentals say it can be dangerous for doggies to wander around when the lawn is being mowed and, of course, Sadie would probably be so scared she'd just fall over if it came near her.
With the nice trim lawn, we've been wanting to spend a lot more time outside because, well, we're dogs and dogs like to be outside. Okay, not all dogs. Our foster dog, Casper, hates to be outside. He only goes out for the absolute amount of seconds necessary to do his toilet affairs and then he wants right back inside. He doesn't want to stop to chase squirrels, visit the neighbor dogs through the fence, or bark at the birds at their feeder; he just wants back inside. I, myself, would stay out all day if I could because there is just so much to see and do and sniff out there.
Up until just a week or so ago, we were having serious spring weather--tornado warnings every day, flooding that reached Biblical proportions, and temperatures that still got quite chilly. Yeah, well, spring is OVER and it is HOT out there! Hey, I'm an Oklahoma dog; all my siblings are Oklahoma dogs, even our foster is an Oklahoma foster; we are used to hot and humid summers. One summer, we lived in the Texas panhandle and it was wonderful; even when the temperature was very high, there was no humidity and it felt so nice outside. Well, now we are in Arkansas, just a few miles from Oklahoma and it is humid. And hot. And miserable. And did I mention hot and humid?
People do this thing called sweating. My mama sweats right in the back of her head; in the summertime, it seems like her hair is constantly wet. Daddy doesn't really have much hair, so he has a lot of sweat on his bare head; he looks funny! Mama says sweat looks sort of yucky but it helps them stay cool in the hot, humid weather. I think sweat makes them taste salty and I lick them when I have the chance. Mama says dogs don't sweat, except for the very bottoms of our feet. She says the foot sweat makes our feet smell like corn chips and tells me I have Frito feet. Fritos are very good, so I think this must be a very nice scent for the summer.
Check out my Frito feet--go ahead, take a sniff!
But if we can't sweat except a tiny bit on our toesies, how in the world is a corgi girl supposed to keep cool and fresh when it feels like we've been dropped into a South American jungle? (Mama says I need to get over myself; she's actually been in a South American jungle and this is NOT the same. Whatever, mama; talk to the Frito scented foot.)
First of all, doggies pant. When a dog pants, the rapid exchange of air helps cool our bodies. A panting dog may take breaths 300-400 times a minute--that's a lot! Corgis look especially cute when we pant because our tongues are quite long and hang out extra far; a corgi can pull off an adorable look even when overheated!
That tongue should be enough to cool off anyone!
Dogs can also relieve a little heat by dilating blood vessels in the head and ears. I suppose that means a dog with really big ears is a really cool dog! Hehe, that's a joke--I'll be here all week; don't forget to tip your waitress.
We doggies depend alot on our humans to keep us cool in the miserable hot weather. My mama gives me ice cubes to crunch and I love them. Some people have the idea that ice is bad for doggies, but that really isn't true. There are misconceptions that eating ice will give dogs stomach bloat. According to Dr Tina Wismer, the director of the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center, this is an old wives' tale that simply has no basis in truth. She does warn that if your doggy is an "aggressive chewer" he/she could accidently chip a tooth, but if your dog doesn't get crazy about it, an ice cube or two should be perfectly safe. Dr Wismer does caution that a dog who appears to be suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke should NOT be given ice or ice water, but should be covered in cool cloths and rushed to the vet immediately.
Dogs also appreciate frozen treats. Pupsicles, Frosty Paws, whatever you like to call them, you can't go wrong giving your dog a tasty frozen treat made especially for him/her. You can buy these frozen treats in the store, but my mama makes us frozen goodies at home by freezing beef or chicken broth, or freezing a mixutre of plain yogurt, honey, and peanut butter. Just pour those things in an ice cube try or a Dixie cup and pop in the freezer; a few hours later...frozen bliss!
Some doggies love to cool down with a good swim. I personally would just swim and swim all day; some people thing corgis aren't good swimmers--and some might not be--but I am a swimming superstar! Our dog park has a little lake and lots of doggies take a dip there on a hot day. Last year, mama thought that since Lucy and I liked the lake, we'd enjoy a little wading pool. Neither of us like it, however. I don't know why; maybe we're just holding out for a trip to the dog park!
Swimming at the little lake in our dog park
The best way to keep your doggies cool is to keep them where you are comfortable. If it is too hot for you to sit out in the middle of the yard in the blazing sun, chances are that's not good enough for your dog either. At home, under the air conditioner or fan, is the spot doggies crave. If a dog must be outside, be sure it is in the shade with ready access to a lot of fresh, cool water. And never, ever, ever, as long as you live, forever, no way, no how, should you leave a dog (or child) in a vehicle on a hot day.
The good news about hot weather--it has to end sometime. The bad news--where I live, that may be in November! Treat your doggies, and yourselves, to a frozen treat, a refreshing swim, or just a day hanging out under a nice fan. Remember to watch your dogs and your people for signs of getting too hot, keep hydrated, stay cool! We want you around to enjoy a visit with us for a long time to come!
Love ya,
Lily the Corgi
This is our current foster, Casper. He hates to be
outside and prefers this spot right under the ceiling fan
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