Dogs In Hot Cars Are Not Cool

Spring has sprung and Summer is coming. That means hot weather and soaring temperatures. It also means lots of outings. Sadly some of these will result in excruciating deaths and the loss of some beloved friends.

People love to take pets along for a ride. Usually it is our dogs that go with us when we run errands, visit friends and pick up the kids at school. We take them on vacation and travel with them to all sorts of interesting places. But are we taking them on their final trip-to their death? Most of us love our pets and think of them as family. We buy them the best food, provide medical care and even allow them to sleep with us. There are times to say “no” to that wagging tail and those big, begging eyes.

When the weather is hot, a dog’s place is safe at home where he is in a climate controlled atmosphere. Even if the windows are cracked or rolled halfway down, an automobile gets too hot for an animal. The temperature inside a car rises at an extreme rate. An animal can die of heat exhaustion within minutes. On a 72 degree day, the temperature inside a car can be 116 degrees within ONE HOUR! An animal can die within 10 minutes!

A study showed how temperatures inside a vehicle can skyrocket and become a death trap for the animal left inside. The study was in a shaded area. A full sunspot would be even hotter, faster. See the chart below for shocking information and please never, ever leave your best friend in a car to die a horrible death.

Should you see an animal in a hot car, call the police or animal control immediately. It is illegal in most states for an animal to be left like that. I am including a link to a flyer that can be printed off. Leave it on the windshield of any vehicle where you see an animal alone or pass them out in parking lots on a steaming day. It is a reminder to the owner that it is too hot for their pet to be left in that vehicle.

Many states here in the United States have enacted laws preventing animals from being left in cars and the owner may face fines and even jail time. It is considered animal cruelty in most of these states.

When our pet goes with us to the park, picnic, camping or other places, it is smart to carry water for him. Keep a bowl and a water bottle for your pet and offer refreshment often. Pets get dehydrated easily. They do not sweat like a human does and overheat quicker. Animals are not able to sweat like humans do. Dogs cool themselves by panting and sweat through their paws. A dog’s normal temperature is already 102.5 degrees and rapid panting adds to that by increasing the body temperature even more. Compare it to how we get hotter when we exercise.

Once an animal is in a state of heat stroke, death usually occurs. The heart, brain and nervous systems suffer irreversible damage.

Signs that an animal is in distress include: excessive panting, excessive drooling, increased heart rate, trouble breathing, disorientation, collapse or loss of consciousness, seizures and respiratory arrest.

Even walking around a flea market, fair or other hot area may be too much for your dog. Remember that he is close to the pavement where temperatures are absorbed and rise in waves. An elderly animal or one with health issues will be affected faster and more severely than others might.

Stop, think and act with wisdom and love. A life depends on you making the right choice and putting the welfare of your pet first. Your reward will be that head on your knee and a wagging tail to greet you and let you know you are loved. When the world turns away, a pet turns toward his owner. He loves without question. Shouldn’t we do the same?

God gave us dominion over the animals and the first man Adam named them all one by one. The Creator expects us to treat them with love and respect as with everything in our lives and in our care.

Genesis 2:19-20 "And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them:
and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field;" ... (KJV)

 Kelev. 

כלב

"Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of ther universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made."

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
Unknown

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