Dog Days of Summer (Tips for a Safe Summer)

Dog Days of Summer are the muggiest days of the summer and generally are considered to occur from July 2 to Aug 11.

Wonder where that term came from? Ancient Egyptians. Before smog, lights and construction obscured the night sky, people used to watch the stars and imagine the constellations formed pictures of common items.

Among those common items were dogs. Two of those constellations became known as Canis Major and Canis Minor. The brightest star in the night sky and one which was part of Canis Major was called Sirius, the dog star.

During July/August, Sirius rises and sets with the Sun at times. Our ancient forefathers believed the star’s heat added to the sun’s which created 20-days of hot and muggy weather. This period became known as “dog days” after the dog star.
Whatever the scientific background of the term, there’s no denying July and August can be beastly hot – for us and our dogs.

You must know the prime rules of summer – never leave a dog in a parked car! and see he has plenty of water to drink but here are three tips that are not so obvious.

1. Prevent sunburn.

This is a major problem for hairless dogs such as Chinese Crested, for dogs with bare skins such as Maltese with their parted hair exposing bare skin and for any dog’s exposed ears and nose. Be advised that an overdose of sun may be associated with cancers of the nose and ears.

Don’t let your dog out in the sun, especially on a beach, for long periods of time and use a safe-for-dogs sun block on him.

Remember your dog will want to lick any suntan lotion off so you must be sure it is non-toxic to him. Your vet can recommend a brand or use a product made for babies. Doggles, the company that makes sunglasses for dogs, has come out with a sunscreen safe for dogs called Doggles Pet Screen. It’s available at http://www.entirelypets.com/petsunscreen.html $8.99 for a 2-oz spray.

I prefer to use stick sunscreen as it’s harder for a dog to lick off. If you use a sun block for babies make sure it doesn’t contain any lanolin or baby oil.

2. Protect his paws.

Hot pavement and unclean grass can be hard on a dog’s paws. I like to use all-weather Muttluks on my dog while other people try something like Vaseline on their paws.

If it’s too hot or you don’t like paw protectors, there are two products to consider:
1. Shaws Paw Wax which is very popular at dog shows to prevent dogs from slipping on the floors. The Paw Wax will help protect your dog’s paws from the heat as well as gravel, asphalt and all hard surfaces. Shaw's Paw Wax is $5.95 for a can.

2. Musher’s Secret is a popular product that protects paws from hot concrete as well as icy pavement. Apply a thin coat on pads and between the toes. You only use this product once a week unless your dog is out in extreme conditions. It’s $9.95 for a jar.

Both products are safe for dogs and available from J. B. Wholesale at http://www.jbpet.com/Shopping/default.asp.

3. Beware your own backyard.

Along with all the dangerous plants and diseases hiding in the grass, don’t forget about your garden hose. It is NOT advisable to let your dog drink from a hose. Standard vinyl garden hose has substances in it to keep the hose flexible. These chemicals, which get into the water as it goes through the hose, are not safe for humans or pets and there's also no way to tell what's inside the hose. The outside thread opening at the end of the hose could be contaminated, covered with chemicals or germs or bacteria from a previous use, dirt, insects, or rodents.

A more current problem is West Nile virus which dogs can get from mosquitoes just as we can. Officials say pet owners should avoid walking dogs especially older dogs in areas with a lot of mosquitoes and should keep them indoors in the evening.

Never use insect spray on dogs because the dog can lick it off and ingest it.

As a general preventive, take a few minutes daily to run your hands, or a comb, through your dog's coat to look for ticks and other insects.

Most of all, enjoy the summer sun and vacation time with your canine companion. Just make sure it’s a safe summer for both of you.

Recommended/Not Recommended Dog Charities

Recommended

1. Your community’s shelter or your breed rescue group.

Although I don’t recommend first-time dog owners adopt a dog from them (see 7 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know about Animal Shelters), these organizations are the home of last resort for thousands of dogs and deserve your financial support and your time if you can volunteer.

Although your local group may share the name "humane society" or "society for prevention of cruelty to animals," local groups do not receive any funding from the national groups and are separate entities. Local organizations may be private, or contracted with their local government, and set their own policies.

In fact, groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) even charge local shelters for assistance they provide.

Nestle Purina is getting on the wristband bandwagon through its Rally to Rescue collar and wristband for you and your dog.

Sets of purple and silver collars and wristbands have been furnished to rescue groups across the country and organizations are encouraged to request at least a $5 donation per set. See http://www.rallytorescue.org/ for more information.

2. Canine Companions for Independence http://www.caninecompanions.org/

As the name implies this is the organization that trains dogs to
support people with developmental or physical disabilities so they can live independently. No dogs are every more cherished than these well trained life savers.

3. Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
http://www.GuideDog.org

This non-profit, rated one of the 100 best charities by Reader’s Digest magazine, trains and places about 80 dogs a year with blind individuals. It is one of the oldest, animal-related non-profits in the US.

Not recommended

1. Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)

The biggest mistake people make is thinking that their local humane society is a branch of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). It isn't. So how many HSUS-run animal shelters benefit from its nearly $95-million 2005 annual budget? None.

HSUS spends the majority of its money on political activity, legal challenges and fund raising. Although once a worthwhile group, it has been taken over by the animal rights cultists.

"The life of an ant and the life of my child should be granted equal consideration," Michael Fox, Head of HSUS's Center for Respect for Life and Environment, said. His view is emblematic of today's HSUS and as such, it is not a group worthy of anyone's support.

2. American Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty (ASPCA)

Many local organizations use the term SPCA, but they are not related to the ASPCA which is based in New York.

This is another group that spends substantial sums on fund raising and political activity. In fact, New York State Attorney General Elliot Spitzer accused the ASPC of engaging in inappropriate direct fundraising activities although the ASPCA denied the charge.

It's unfortunate but the ASPCA also is a group with a proud history that has been taken over by the animal rights cultists and now spends its efforts lobbying against hunting, animal acts in circuses and encouraging everyone to become a vegetarian.

Save your money.

3. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

PETA has made donations to the terrorist group, Environmental Liberation Front (ELF) and several defense funds for accused Animal Liberation Front (ALF) members. A group so reckless with its funds does not deserve to keep its non-profit status or receive your support.

Two organizations that rate non-profits on how well they spend their money in the ratio of administration/fund raising to activities are http://www.CharityNavigator.org/ and http://www.give.org/.

This is the not same as whether their goals are worthwhile but only whether they have an acceptable ratio of fundraising/administrative expense compared to performance.

A group that rates only animal related charities is ANIMAL PEOPLE at animalpeoplenews.org.

Each year in the December issue of ANIMAL PEOPLE, Editor Merritt Clifton offers his annual investigative piece, "Who Gets The Money," providing information (including executive salaries) on one hundred and fifty animal charities.

The Watchdog Report can be ordered on line for $25 at animalpeoplenews.org.
And don't forget Animal People -- which is itself a nonprofit, about as lean as they come-- when it's time to pick animal charities worthy of your donations.