hot days, blacktop, and dogs--a rant

[thebritt]

Don't see too many people sitting in cars, in the sun, with the windows rolled down a couple inches (no A/C) in extreme heat, eh? Wonder why???

 

[piecemaker]

Not only is black top but so is cement and as we were reminded yesterday the sand is just as hot
piecemaker

 

[they'reHISchickens]

Don't want to hijack, but since the dog experts are here, how about some opinions:
We have a rescue Black Russian Terrier we just picked up from center city Brooklyn NY last week and moved her to the country. Do I trim her pads/paws so she doesn't slide indoors or let it long so it protects her pads outdoors?
We did have her on blacktop last weekend and I was amazed she wasn't *dancing* from the heat. it did not seem to bother her at all. The dry grass seems to affect her more! We have grass here, no hardscape, but we do need to get her used to coming and going in a vehicle.
Do sidewalks/city streets get super hot and dogs get used to it? ( Country gal here... I'm clueless to the citylife)

Sourland.. are you a local yokel to K-town?

 

[debilorrah]

Black top is the worst, but I wanna know why people are taking their dogs out in this horrible weather?? I have two that live outside, and even they just lay around the cool concrete in the shade on the patio. Their feet are accustomed to the heat and the dirt, yet they prefer the concrete in this weather. People! Leave them home, where they are comfortable.

I read an article about someone finding a car, locked up tight, with 25 chickens inside. By the time authorities go there, one was dead and the rest were in bad shape. No cages either. Who in the heck drives 25 chickens to Walmart and leaves them in there???

 

[geepy]

Quote:
Wow, what were they thinking?

 

[gaited horse]

Quote:
Wow, what were they thinking?

They need more BBQ sauce [sp]?

 

[they'reHISchickens]

debiraymond, as a new rescue, Bess prefers to be with us rather than home alone-- in addition to needing to travel to see the vet. We are sensitive to her climactic needs, hence the question: to trim pad hair or not?
There is a serious discussion within her breed as to whether the long double coat is better shaved for heat, or allowed to stay on and insulate from the heat.

25 chickens loose in a car at a Wallyworld? That is the most insane thing I have ever heard of, regardless of the weather! Gives new meaning to the words portable coop. In this heat, the words chicken oven are more likely.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Black top is the worst, but I wanna know why people are taking their dogs out in this horrible weather??

I think there are a lot of reasons, from people sticking dogs in their purse to gain attention (not saying everyone with a small dog in a purse does this, but I'm sure most of us have met at least one person who had animals and treated them more like accesories) to having service animals. In our case, we have a cattle dog who is the world's clingiest and most insecure dog. Though she has vastly improved since we first adopted her, to say she has velcro tendencies would be an understatement for her. Our vacations tend to mean hiking and camping, and she seems by far happiest when it's just the three of us exploring the outdoors. It has also been one of the most useful tools in teaching her a bit of independence. True of her breed, she does not trust or accept people outside of us easily. We take her to social events that are dog-friendly within our comfort level and hers, and it has helped immensely to socialize her and boost her confidence. So, those are some reasons we take her with us. Granted, we also have been known to take one of our cats for drives because she turns into a purry mess of love, and is fascinated watching life blur by the windows. She loves getting out and about, and will run out to the car and jump in. All depends what the individual animal prefers to me. Our family dog would prefer to be left home alone to sleep, for example.​

 

[debilorrah]

I take Micro places with me because he is small enough to carry. The other two are GSD's and they stay home in this weather. I can;t carry them, and I am not going to subject them to walking on very hot pavement.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

I've seen people have their dogs in foot boots (made for dogs), so pavement isn't an issue for them, so something for people to look into with large dogs. I'll have to get some just to prevent pad tears if I ever get into carting (not draft carting or weight pulling, but speed/sport carting). The places we go are grassy, so never been an issue for us, though many people walk their dogs in this urban area and do not realize that the walk can end badly when out on a summer day during the hottest hours. But yeah, it's very possible to be out and about with a dog, and keep them happy in the heat or cold. Just got to be aware of the issues and take measures to prevent mishaps.