Hot weather AS rain-filled clouds give way to brilliant sunshine, temperatures and spirits begin to soar. At first, the sun and warmth dazzle us all. Comments such as “summer is finally here” burst from our “lips. But after three days of record-breaking temperatures the grumbling begins, “It’s too hot, the humidity is what is the worst.” What a funny lot we are, if” we're not running for cover - from the rain, we are running “for cover from the sun. But keeping ‘cool in the summer - is no laughing matter for us or our dogs. . Imagine being covered in fur, from head to toe and + Only being able to sweat ee the bottoms of your feet. To keep your body tem: - perature from rising, you had - to pant, so cool air could be | _ brought into your lungs = (sounds like my ex- ‘boyfriend). But with temper- atures ‘closing i in‘on 30 C, the’ -air isn’r that cool and body temperatures can casily rise to __ dangerous levels. Fortunately we're not cov- ‘ered in thick fur and we “sweat all over our bodies, probably don’t give much - thought to 0 the Physiological effect of heat and our bodies. When we feel hot, we simply get out of the sun. But are we aware of the harmful effects of heat on our pets? Since dogs can’t cool down as effectively as humans, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very serious warm weather ailments that affect our pups. If symptoms are not recognized soon enough, a dog could be seri- ously harmed or die. Heat exhaustion and heat- stroke occur when a dog is exercised on hot or humid days or when a dog is con- fined in a hot, humid envi- ronment. With heat exhaus- tion, a dog’s body tempera- ture may not be elevated beyond its normal 38 C to 39 C, but the dog could be panting heavily and rapidly. A dog may roll in the cool grass under a tree as if trying to rub the heat off. It may also look weak or walk as if it is going to collapse. In the Woest case a de 3 may suffer fainving spell. or vomit. Az this point, cooling off the dog is the immediate course of action. Getting the dog into the shade, then wet- ting the dog witi: cool, (not iced) water can do this. Once the dog is wet, concentrate the cooling efforts by splash- - ing, water on the underside of the dog even have the dog - stand in water as you do this. Afterwards, don’t dry the dog off with a towel, but _ allow the water to evaporate. . Also, allow the dog to drink cool water freely. A trip to the vet would not be a bad idea. ’. Heatstroke occurs when a ~ dog loses the ability to regu- late its body temperature, which then begins to rise . beyond 39C. As the tempera- - ture begins to rise, the body begins to shut down. If not SS REMEMBER "SHOPPING | Stone's? WELL, ROW:-/0U CAR AGAIN! . SHOP BY. il | EMAIL hea 266-5191 FAX: 266-5199 - - EMAIL: cori_bonina@bc.sympatico.ca a - ON-LINE: www.stongs.com ; AVAILABLE MONDAY. TO FRIDAY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS i ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:00 AM _ AND WILL BE DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING DAY. : 9 SATURDAY DELIVERIES ARE AVAILABLE SUT - “ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY ru :00AM FRIDAY. yl -PETS treated immediately, heat- stroke can led to liver and kidney failure, bzain dysfunc- tion, heart failure and eventu- ally death. Warning signs of heat- stroke is excessive salivation and rapid, shallow breathing. The dog may be hot to the touch, especially the ears. The gums or tongue will be a deep red or purple. They will have a glazed look in their eyes, will vomit or collapse. Muscle cramps or seizures raay develop as cell damage occurs from the overheated tissue. is tough Heatstroke is serious and a dog could die quickly, so cooling the dog off imntedi- ately with cool water is imperative. Immediately wrap the dog in a cold wet towel for transportation and bring the dog to the vet. The best defense against heat exhaustion or heat stroke is to prevent it. Never leave a dog unattended in a vehicle in warm weather, regardless of the open win- dows or being parked in the shade. Avoid exercising a dog, during the hortest time of the day (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.). And UP TO 36 MONTHE, OAC Echo ¢ Corolla « Camry * Avalon ¢ Sienna « RAV 4 ¢ 4 Runner ° Tacoma ° Tundra cairn friendly, room for by 4 = value p CiD, body colored bumpers & door includes An? $1100 Down, + 4 taxes 48 mos., i $10, 652 nal remote mirrors and much more. a Consistently ranked #1 for ity, value and re-sale. Price includes amifm cd sound system, power windows locks and mainte, aif air conditioning and more. ” $3520 Down -: + taxes, 48 mos., T.P. $17,872 e CAA. om ne Award 7 wets for’ ‘Quality, Vatue & Resale a record: 13 times, ¢ 5 year warranty . © Environment Canada Low Emissions Certified Sunday, August 13, 2000 - North Shore News — 21 Where do you turn with a complaint against the press? To Us... ‘The British Columbia Press Council is an independent review board which considers unresolved complaints about newspapers. To lodge a complaint, all it takes is the cost of a letter. B.C. Press Council Box 5414 Victoria, B.C. V8R 684 Tel: (604) 595-2571 Fax: (604) 595-2573 always give your dog access to fresh, cold drinking water. Weta long-coated dog down during the day, to help them keep cool. On a side note, be con- scious of air conditioning. A dog can suffer from hypothermia or catch a cold from over-exposure to air conditioning. -—~ Joan is the owner of Sierra K9 training. For advice or training e-mail her at , Comments in the fornt of a let- ter to the editor are welcome. $4350 Down,. 48 mos., ' T.P. $18,702 Legendary Toyota ruggedness plus ais contonn power win dows, locks & mirrors and much more, >. - Best stated as the Camry of mini v vans. “This price indudes duat doors, dua! air conditioning, power wii dows, lock & eed mirrors and much more. .