How can you tell if your doodle is too hot?

[Frannie & Callie]

I live in Atlanta. It's been RIDICULOUSLY hot and it's just now summer so it's not like cool weather is coming our way any time soon. Callie is not a fan of the heat. That's fine by me - I'm not a big fan of it either. However - she's not behaving normally outside, even by comparison of last summer. Last summer, she was fine on our walks (which we cut back to 15-25 minutes in the summer), and good for about 15 minutes of additional play and then ready to go inside or lay down in shade.  That has not been the case this summer. She's gotten her summer cut, dropped the couple of pounds she put on while I fostered Wilbur but it's still too hot (just for the record I've not dropped the weight I gained while fostering Wilbur!).  Twice in the past week we've been out playing or walking and she's gone under the bushes to lay down, and then lays down several times while we are walking home. Then when we get back home I fill her bowl up with cool water and ice cubes and she seems better, but still wants to lay on me full length (not sure how that's helping her cool down, but I know she's telling me she wants comfort).

 

I'm happy to cut back on the walks to be "business only" but is she getting enough exercise that way? One of my neighbors had a dog who died from heat stroke this past year and I may be too sensitive because she just was telling me about it. We are already only walking in the morning and then past 6pm, (sometimes a quick tinkle at lunch time) so we're not out and about in the dead heat of the day.

 

I'm very open to suggestions and feedback, because I want Callie to feel good and enjoy her life!!

[Mark Carlson]

http://www.doodlekisses.com/photo/haircut-3?context=user

[Lisa & Bailey]

I live in CA. We have hot summers here in the Central Vally so I asked my vet about the heat and walks since Bailey has such a thick coat. She said to only walk him early in the morning and late at night after it has cooled down. If it is too hot for me to walk in bare feet on the sidwalk and wear a thick sweater outside, it is too hot for him too. She also warned me not to walk him after he has just eaten as his intestines could twist, I forgot what she called this. It happens to big dogs and is fatal if not caught in time. When it is cool and time permits, we go to the dog park to catch up on our exercise. Well, his exercise, I am still behind on mine. :-)

[Harper & Benson]

Where have you guys purchased the cooling bandanas?

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

They have them at REI. I just bought Gracie Doodle the Swamp Cooler Vest at REI that everyone has been talking about. Believe it or not, here in on the peninsula of San Diego (Point Loma/Ocean Beach) it has been drizzly off and on, cold and completely overcast. Yesterday was the first day of some sun so it is looking pretty bleak for firework displays tomorrow. Just drive 8 miles inland (East) and it is 80 degrees and sunny. Needless to say, Gracie hasn't had her vest on yet!