Page 20 - AUGUST2023

Page 20
Community
The Dog Days of Summer
By Brittany amalfi
Summer is in full swing, and those temperatures are heating up! Of course, we all have our ways of beating the heat, especially in these extreme temperatures, but as the weather continues to rise, there are many things we need to keep in mind. And one essential thing is our sweet furry friends: dogs. Hot temperatures can be dan- gerous for anyone, but it’s up to us to keep our dogs safe when the sun is beating down! So here are a few tips and tricks to ensure your pup stays cool this summer.
• Ifyou’regoingtobeoutsidewithyourdog,makesurethere is a shady spot not too far for your furry friend to take residence in when they need it. Doghouses are known to trap heat, so avoid those when the temperature is too hot.
• ALWAYS keep water on hand when your dog is around. If you’re going out for a walk, a hike, etc., make sure you bring extra water for them.
• Ifyourdogisaswimmer,findasmallpool(orevenalake!)for them to cool off in. Who doesn’t love a good swim in the sum- mertime!
• Take walks in the early morning or evenings when the summer heat has dwindled a bit.
• Avoid walking your dog on hot asphalt or sand. We don’t want to damage their little paws!
• Bemindfulofyourdog’sbreed!Certaindogs,likeoneswith short heads and snouts, have a hard time in the heat because they don’t pant as efficiently as longer-nosed dogs. Some exam- ples would be Boxers or Bulldogs.
• Let your pup bask in the glorious air conditioning as much as possible!
• Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date. They defi- nitely spend more time outside in the summer; who knows what they’ll encounter!
• Avoidanylawnsthathavebeenchemicallytreatedorfertilized within 24 hours.
• Talk to your veterinarian about practical ways to keep your dog tick-free this summer.
• Dogswithshorthair,whitefur,andpinkskincangetsunburned! Make sure to limit their time in the sun.
• Ifyou’reatabeachwithsaltwater,don’tletyourdogdrinkit. It can make them sick!
• Ifyou’reinanRVthissummer,nevercloseitupcompletely, even if the generator and air conditioning are running. Crack a window!
• Makesuretoknowthelocationofthenearestvetofficeincase of emergency.
• Alwaysverifyifcampgroundsarepetfriendly!
• Knowthesignsofdehydrationandheatstroke.Somesignsare panting, dry gums and nose, thick saliva, lethargy, sunken eyes, and loss of elasticity in the skin.
• Heat stroke can include heavy panting, excessive drooling, bright red gums and tongue, and difficulty maintaining balance.
• Ifyoubelieveyourdogishavingaheatstroke,trytocoolthem down immediately. Get them to the shade, spray them with cool water, and fan them.
Let’s all do our part this summer to keep our furry companions safe!
Brake for Moose — It Could Save Your Life
NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM August 2023
Remember to brake for moose when traveling on New Hampshire’s roadways. There were 58 reported collisions be- tween moose and vehicles in New Hampshire in 2022. While moose are active year round, May through October are high- risk months for collisions. This is because moose at this time of year are attracted to salty mud adjacent to the road and tend to move more often in low-light conditions.
When driving on New Hamp- shire roads, keep these points in mind:
Moose and vehicle collisions happen statewide on all types of roads.
Moose collisions occur most often from May through Octo- ber.
While collisions can happen at any time of day, they occur most frequently at dusk and at night.
Moose are dark brown, mak- ing them hard to see against pavement, especially at night.
Don’t depend on “eye shine” (reflected light from headlights) to alert you to a moose’s presence; moose don’t always look at an ap- proaching vehicle.
To reduce the chance of a col- lision—or the severity of occu- pant injury if you do hit a moose:
Do not drive at high speeds Wear your seatbelt
Scan the sides of the road
Be able to stop within the zone
of your headlights
Use high beams whenever
possible
If you see a moose, slow down
or stop if necessary, until you have passed it or it has left the road
Make sure your moose en- counters are safe for you and the moose.
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