This is a short letter regarding pets and hot
weather.
I was away at the cottage recently with my
family and my dog. The weekend was very warm.
My dog was out and about through the weekend
playing and getting under everyone's feet (as always). Because
it was so hot, I kept trying to show her where there was
shade.
Being an excited dog, she could not stay
still. I would put her in the cottage but she just cried to be
let out. When she was out, I would take her to the lake and
cool her down. She had an unlimited amount of drinking water
and was always being watched.
When we returned Monday, I let her out of the
truck and she ran up the stairs, excited to be home. I let her
out while I was bringing my bags in, and when I let her in she
was behaving strangely. I gave her some fresh water to drink
because she was panting and seemed to need water.
After a couple of sips, she laid down beside
the couch. She was still panting very hard so I called her to
me to pet her and to try to get some heat off her body.
Her legs were shaking, her tail between her
legs and she was drooling a lot. I called her up on the couch
and when she jumped up her legs just gave out. She
collapsed.
I rushed to the phone and called my parents
to see what I should do. I was told to get some ice and try to
melt it in her mouth.
I hung up the phone about a minute later, got
the ice, and went to my dog. She was dead.
I tried everything to revive her, but it was
too late.
My dog was not neglected but it was still too
hot for her and she had a stroke.
I'm writing this letter to advise pet owners
of the effect of very hot weather.
Suzy Meunier
Sudbury