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| Taking a break; chilling under the trailer. |
The bugs are slowing down now, at least during the day.
Probably because they can't take the heat either.
It's hot enough to even slow down Cookie and she doesn't slow down for anything. Our main job now is to make sure the dogs don't suffer from over-heating. Heatstroke is very dangerous and can be deadly.
We go for the main walk in the morning.
Even then is already pretty hot and it's important to make sure that the dogs take breaks to cool down.
Because the ground has finally dried up enough, we could return to cleaning up the property. The dogs love to go to work with us.
Cookie has been staying around very well.
She's busy with her mouse hunt which keeps her close enough. I've been watching how she uses her unsupervised freedom. Most of the time she stays within a hundred feet and hasn't ventured further than seventy yards from us. She always comes back happily.
She's been very good. The mice certainly help. (Who would have thought that I'd be grateful for presence of small rodents?) And I wonder whether there are less distractions too. Perhaps the animals move around differently in the summer. Or perhaps their smells and sounds don't travel as well through the thick bush foliage.
Whatever the reason for Cookie sticking around is, I'm happy for that.
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| Chilling under the deck |
In this weather I not only have to keep an eye on her whereabouts but also monitor how hot she's getting.
She's happy to hide under the trailer or deck to cool down, as long as everybody else is there too. While we're out and about working, she likes to be out there with us. And while there, she gets busy hunting.
The ground, particularly well-shaded, actually does an amazing job in keeping them cool.
When she's focused, she won't stop on her own.
We have to make sure we take her to have a drink and a little cool-down in the shade.
We are trying to talk hubby into getting a sprinkler going. It's not as easy because we don't have running water on the ranch yet, but we do have large barrels and with a pump we should be able to get the sprinkler going.
I'm hoping the guys will love it and play with it enough to get wet and cool down.
We decided to try the sprinkler instead of a kiddy pool. It's just about as much trouble and I think the sprinkler will be more effective and more fun.
I do always make sure we have enough water not just for drinking but also to be able to water the dogs down if needed.
When we come home, they get a smoothie or chilled goat milk. And, of course, there is always plenty of fresh water available for them to drink.
Ideal exercise for summer is swimming. But for now, we have nowhere to do that.
Dogs love having fun and aren't likely stop playing just because it's too hot until it's too late.
It's important to be diligent on their behalf.
Related articles:
Signs, Symptoms And Treatment Of Heat Stroke In Dogs
Heat Stroke: What Happens In The Dog's Body?
Heat Stroke Is No Light Matter!
Heat Stroke - See It Coming: Canyon's Story
From The End Of A Lead Line To Casa Jasmine: Meet Cookie, Our New Adoptee
Creative Solutions And An Incidental Product Review
Taming Of The Wild Beast: Cookie's Transition To Civilization
Staying On Top Of The Ears: Cookie Is Not Impressed
Who's Training Whom? Stick And Treat
Observation Skills Of Dogs
If You Want Your Dog To Do Something, Teach It
Tricks? It's Not Just About The Tricks
What Constitutes The Perfect Dog?
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Dog Training And Emotions
Dog Training And Emotions: Postscript
Dogs Love Sentences In Question Form?
Not All Dog Trainers Were Created Equal Either
A Thought On Separation Anxiety
Happy One-Year Adoptoversary, Cookie!
About Freedom, Trust And Responsibility: A "Pilot Study"
So, We Have A Bear
About Happiness: What Makes Your Dog Happy?
Our Example Of The Use Of "Look At That" (LAT)
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Who Is In The Wrong?
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Dog Communication: Be Good to Cookie or She'll Tell on You
The Benefit of the Doubt
Putting The Guilty Dog Look To Rest?
The Stench of Fear: Is There Good and Bad Timing for Vet Visits?
I am a Helicopter Dog Mom
Routines: Easy Come, Hard to Go
Mosquito Apocalypse
Things Always Change: Cookie's Hunting Adventures
The Advantage of Your Dog Not Barking All the Time: Cookie Saves Horses' Asses
"Look at That" (LAT) Game and Barking at Traffic
The Role of Thresholds in Dog Training and Behavior