Summer Walks???

One thing I have noticed that is troublesome is people walking their dogs in the heat. OK I know it is summertime and dogs want and need to get outdoors and get some exercise. The problem here is that some people are not considering their dogs perspective.

Let me give you an example. I was biking the NCR trail. It was almost midday. I noticed a man and woman with three dogs. They were chow types...you know big thick coats. No big deal right?
Great couple of dog owners on the trail with their dogs. How nice...

Until I was coming back from biking 10 miles North or so and there they all were again still walking...these dogs were panting so hard, their tongues and heads almost to the ground.

Now it was past noon, very hot, and they had been walking for over an hour at least and pretty far from where they began.

The woman was talking up a storm and not really seeming to pay much attention to the dogs at all. So as I biked past very concerned, I simply smiled and stated "WOW they look really hot and tired."

The woman looked surprised! The one dog appeared to be trying to stop and the other was moving slowly. It was disturbing. So the woman sweating badly in her thin tank top and shorts, with short hair, did stop and address the dogs. Hopefully she got the message.

Other examples are the joggers, joggers with baby carriages, long distance walkers, etc. I live in a place where many people walk jog and bike by and I have seen it all...the dogs have no way to stop, rest, get water, take a break in any way if needed...

If you are going to walk your dogs in the heat just consider all factors from the dogs perspective please.

Early day, late day, rainy day, in the shade, shorter walks, more often, to a park where they can lay in the shade if desired, bring water, ..just don't drag them along for YOUR exercise..it might not be best for the dog.

Humans are supposed to be more intelligent!?