Wow, it’s Hot Outside!

The planet is heating up, and we’ve been seeing record breaking temperatures across the globe. Now, more than ever, it’s important to be conscientious about how hot weather affects your dog.

Every year, people lose dogs to heat stroke. That’s because dogs don’t really sweat. They do have some sweat glands in their foot pads, and they pant to stay cool, but none of that is enough in certain circumstances.

If you are outside with your dog on a hot day, make sure they have shade and water to drink. Never leave your pet alone in a car (even with the windows down) if the outdoor temperature is 70 or above. The inside of a car can go from 70 degrees to 104 degrees in just 30 minutes!

Our dogs love to be with us, and to go where we go, but it’s kinder to leave them at home in hot weather. And remember, exercising them when it’s hot out can be just as dangerous as being left in a hot car.

Signs of heat stroke are disorientation, dry, pale gums, bright red tongue, thick saliva, rapid heart rate, vomiting, excessive panting, and difficulty breathing. If not cooled down right away, organ damage, or even death, can occur. Dogs that are old, overweight, dark coated, or brachycephalic (flat face) are at twice the risk.

If your dog overheats, give him cool water to drink, place a cold towel or bag of frozen veggies on his head, (but not for more than a few minutes at a time.) Run a cool (not cold) bath, or hose him off –but remember, the water that’s been resting in an outdoor garden hose can be really hot! so let it run cool, first.

Another danger is walking your dog during the hot times of day, when pavement can become dangerously hot. If the pavement is too hot for you to touch with the back of your bare hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws and can badly burn their pads.

Be safe out there! Remember, your dog is counting on you to keep him safe.

I’m Excited to Show You My Yelodoggie ACEOs

Floyd

This is Floyd, the yelodoggie. In 2003, he stepped out of a dream and into my life. He underwent a bit of a makeover from the weird,  scruffy big-headed terrier I met in a dive bar. I think his head must be so big because it is full of ideas. I began to paint little pictures of him in various situations as a way to spread the joy that only dogs are capable of creating. In addition to the paintings, Floyd has appeared on mugs, t-shirts, mousepads, clocks, and more. This year, he appeared in his first book: Why Am I. . . ?

ACEOs are highly collectible. Each one is 2.5″ x 3.5″ and is a signed and numbered one-of-kind  piece of art.
This series reproduces famous classic art pieces merged with a yelodoggie character. I spent from 1-3 hours on each miniature, each full of detail.
I used a mixture of watercolor, acrylic, and colored pencil.

On Monday, June 6, 7 pm EST, I’m proud to offer the first series of twenty yelodoggie ACEO (Art Cards Editions and Originals) miniature paintings.

I am offering the cards in this first series in two price tiers: $15 and $20. The prices are based on how much work I put into them. There will be ten different cards in each tier. To make things extra fun, this will be a blind sale. That means each card has been sealed into an envelope, and while each buyer is guaranteed one of the paintings shown on the listing, neither I, nor the buyer, will know which specific one until it is received!

Yelodoggie Art Card Originals series 1. (Pictured: xerox-es of the cards)

You can order your unique yelodoggie ACEO in my YelodoggieArt etsy shop at this link: YelodoggieArt . The listings will go live at 7 pm EST Monday, June 6.

There are good indications that they will go fast.

Miniature wooden easels to display your ACEO, and rigid transparent plastic top-loading card sleeves will also be available for a nominal fee.

How You and Your Dog Can Be Great Neighbors

By Guest Blogger, Cindy Aldridge.

Did you ever have a neighbor with a noisy, barking dog? Or, maybe a dog that was repeatedly invading your lawn? Maybe you even lived near a dog who was aggressive and unfriendly. If you’ve experienced this, you understand how important it is to train your dog to behave well and not be a nuisance; after all, neglecting to do so is irresponsible pet ownership. It could even lead to a situation in which you are no longer able to keep your dog. 

However, if you follow these tips your happy, well-trained dog will be welcome and loved by all – and you’ll be able to look forward to many years of friendship with them.

Keep up to date with your dog’s health care.

One of the first things you should do when you bring home a new pet is to find them a good, reputable vet. This is important both for their routine treatments such as vaccinations and parasite prevention, and also so you can get them tended to as quickly as possible in the event of an illness or accident. Talk to your vet about a schedule for getting your dog spayed or neutered if this has not been done yet. Dogs that have been fixed are less likely to roam and cause trouble in your community.

Help your dog be on their best behavior.

Letting your dog do whatever they like and run wherever they please does them no favors. They may get hurt or be picked up by animal control. They could also end up causing damage or even hurting someone else, or someone else’s pet. Practice firm, patient, and consistent discipline to teach your dog to come when called, to stay out of neighboring lawns, and not to jump on people. Make sure they have the basic training they need to behave well at home and elsewhere. A good dog trainer can help you teach your dog to listen, respond, and obey.

Give your dog the space they need to run and play.

Dogs need exercise if they are going to be happy and healthy. If they are cooped up all the time, they become bored and lonely. They may suffer poor health as a consequence, or develop bad habits such as chewing, digging, or barking incessantly. So, take your dog for walks frequently, play games with them, and make sure they have a safe, appealing environment to explore. A dog who never gets a chance to play may become irritable and anxious, and keep the neighbors awake with constant barking. It’s better for you, your dog, and your neighborhood for you to let your pet play in a safely fenced area with the option to shelter from sun or bad weather. Consider investing in fence installation, and look for companies that specialize in pet enclosures.

Don’t leave your dog alone for too long.

Even if your pup doesn’t have separation anxiety, too much time alone can lead to a host of unwelcome behaviors. Older dogs can be left alone for longer, say if you work an eight-hour shift, but puppies are a different story, and they require a lot of attention. If you have large swaths of time where you need to be away from home, consider hiring a dog walker or pet sitter. This ensures your pup has some interaction during the day, and that they get an extra dose of exercise. If you have the option to work from home, remote work could be ideal if you have a new puppy. You’ll be able to keep close tabs on your little one while still fulfilling your work obligations. When creating a home office, just be sure you keep safety in mind, like putting up wires, securing heavy objects, and being mindful about small items that could be ingested like paper clips or staples. 

Know the laws.

Much of being a good dog-owning neighbor has to do with basic manners. Don’t violate people’s boundaries. Don’t trespass. Don’t assume that people should have to put up with your pet’s bad behavior just because you do. But much of it also has to do with complying with laws regarding dog ownership. Some laws to be aware of include buying a dog license, keeping your dog up to date with mandatory vaccines, leashing them when going on walks in public, and not letting them take a dump in other people’s lawns. Also, be aware that should your dog bite someone, you may be liable for damages unless you can demonstrate that your dog was provoked.

You love your dog, so naturally, you hope others will, too. But remember, some people simply are not dog people, and that’s okay. As for those who are? They will probably enjoy getting to know your canine buddy. And they’ll be pleased to find you’ve taken the time to make sure your dog is safe, healthy, and well-mannered.

You can contact Cindy at: cindy@ourdogfriends.org

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A Note From Ariel, Up on the Woof:

Don’t leave your dog outdoors, even inside of a fenced-in yard when there is no one home to check on them. Additionally, some communities have laws banning residents from keeping certain breeds like pit bulls, mastiffs, and Dogo Argentinos, or may have special requirements for certain breeds. Save yourself some heartache, and before you adopt, be sure to check with your city or township laws, and follow their regulations.

So Much More Than Nothing

I am really struggling today.

By that, I mean that the depression that I keep locked securely in the cabinet has escaped today and is wielding a baseball bat and beating me black and blue.

I find myself here because someone I love told me today that he hates animals because of me. Then he said (regarding my advocacy and activism) “. . . And you have nothing to show for it! ” you know, he may as well just have said that he hates me. My animal advocacy is an integral part of who I am as a person.

I have nothing to show for it? Lives saved, laws changed, sick and injured animals helped, educating others, reuniting lost pets with their families is “nothing?” Five books written is “nothing?”

I know those things mean nothing to that person, who says he hates animals now. I don’t have a big house, or a fancy car. I don’t have any money that isn’t tied up in surviving. I don’t have a bunch of high tech equipment like the newest phone or the best TV. I don’t have jewelry or fancy clothing. But those are the things of value to him, not to me. And what does it say about him, that he hates animals because I love them and care about them?

I feel pity for people like him. People who have never, and will never, know the pure joy of being loved unconditionally by another being, because they are not open to loving an animal. Humans aren’t capable of giving the holy love that animals give. We may aspire to it, but as a species, we are too flawed to deliver. Too easily angered and hurt. Too prone to holding grudges and blaming others. Too distracted by our own thoughts and fears and jealousy.

What do I have to show for my advocacy and activism? Courage. Tenacity. Empathy. Knowledge. Creativity. Inspiration.

Love.

The things I value most.