So summer is here. We may have a few days of cooler temperatures and rain here and there, but we are officially in the summer months.
With the summer months we also get - you got it - sunshine and hot temperatures.
Why am I stating the obvious, you ask?
Because it seems like there are some people who still don't understand that it is not OK to leave your dog in the car on a hot summer day. It's more than just not OK, it is irresponsible, careless and plain old ignorant.
I write about this subject each summer at least three times because some people are still not getting it and dogs are suffering needlessly.
Just last week a friend called me in a panic. She was about to break the windows of a car parked in the grocery store parking lot with a black dog inside that was clearly distressed. It was close to 35 degrees outside, there was a three-inch gap in the two open windows and she had been standing beside the car for more than 20 minutes watching the dog to ensure its well-being.
I told her to contact the local animal control where she reported the car with the license plate and the time and date of the incident. I also suggested she contact the local police before she broke into the car to save this dog's life.
Unfortunately, we hear about this sort of thing every summer, more than once I'm afraid. Yet there seems to be a select few really dumb people out there who just don't understand that a dog can die, very quickly, when left in a car in the hot sun.
Within 15 minutes the interior of a car can reach 45 C (110 F) when exterior temperatures are 35 C (95 F). As human beings, we can barely breathe when we are exposed to 45 C temperatures for more than five minutes. Yet we somehow expect dogs to sit in a car for that length of time or longer.
Some folks seem to forget that dogs do not have the mental capacity to understand what is happening to their bodies as they begin to heat up, or rather cook, from the inside out. This lack of understanding ends up causing even more stress, which adds to an increase in their body temperature.
Imagine for a moment being covered in plastic wrap from the top of your head to your ankles. Just your hands and feet are uncovered, and your nose and mouth so you can breathe. Now imagine covering your plastic-wrapped body with tight-fitting wool pants, a shirt and a toque. Now imagine sitting in a car, parked in the full sun, temperatures hovering around 30 C, with the windows open a couple of inches - for five minutes, or maybe 15 minutes. Can you bear to stand 30 minutes without knowing when someone was going to come and let you out? Just the thought of this is unbearable right? Now you might have an idea of what it's like to be a dog in that situation.
We have all heard or maybe even made that excuse before, "I was only going to be five minutes but . . . I got sidetracked, or it was busy at the check- out, I met a friend and we started chatting." Etc., etc., etc.
Those words are nothing more than a lazy excuse. The message is simple: If it's hot out, don't bring your dog on errands. If you are out with your dog and have gone for a walk or hike and decide to stop and run an errand on the way home, don't! Spend the extra time and gas to bring your dog home where it can remain safe and cool in the comfort of your home. Then go to the store, bank, coffee shop, etc., without your dog. This is simple common sense to me and I am sure many others.
The good news in all of this is that there are more and more canine guardian angels willing to risk their own safety to save a dog in distress. Maybe if we all begin to stand together and show some support for those who are willing to take those risks in situations where a dog's well-being is at stake, we might begin to get the message to those who are short a few common sense brain cells.
Joan has been working with dogs for over 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her at k9kinship.com
