Hello everyone,
we are in the midst of the hot part of the year, ah glorious summer. Long days, warm evenings, scortching afternoons and very little shade or water to be had here in the grand valley. It is hard on all of us, not to mention those four legged creatures we call family. I am an avid hiker, sometimes runner, and love hitting the canyons at different times of the day. The lighting is incredible, the shadows decieving, and simply awe inspiring at times. The best way I have found to discover the treasures this part of the world holds is on foot with your best friend.
That being said, it is also important to realize the heat may seem intense to you, but imagine that same heat in a down jacket, ski pants and a hat. Imaging not being able to sweat to cool yourself. That my friends is exactly what your dog is experiencing. The only way they can cool their bodies is through panting, the few sweat glands they have in their paws, evaporative cooling (sweating or a wet coat) and conductive cooling (laying on a cool surface so heat transfers from their body to that surface). It is absolutely imperative you make certain you have plenty of water and shade is found when hiking the desert with your friends. In fact, it is likely best not to take them at all unless it is either early morning or evening.
It isn’t that I don’t think most of you have common sense, but I have seen many a dog come in overheated and have even had a couple die from heat exposure. It is a true risk and I don’t want you to be the victim of inadvertantly harming your dog. So be smart, keep them at home or make absolutely certain you can provide them what they need to enjoy the hike as well. Otherwise you may find yourself carrying your buddy out on your back. Not my idea of a good time. Probably not yours either and definitely not the dogs.
