Love You to Death

by Shannon M. Pecora, M.A.

Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital

            Every summer as temperatures rise, we’re always reminded not to leave our pets unattended inside our vehicles, though we might like to bring them with us on our errands.  So, we may figure that the best way to spend some quality time with our furry friends would be a nice brisk jog or a long lazy walk.  After all, what could be more fun for a dog than plenty of sunshine, clean fresh air, and some invigorating exercise?  Well, for one thing, a peaceful nap in an air conditioned living room, especially considering the extreme heat and humidity of July and August in Northern Virginia!

            In the interests of health and recreation, we’ll often bring our dogs along on a summer walk or jog, and simply because they do not stop or because they cannot tell us that they are hot and tired, we’ll believe our pets are not having any trouble keeping up with us.  However, many dogs will keep up the pace out of obedience or devotion to us.  They want to please their greatest life-long companions, but in reality they are quickly overheating.  A dog’s core body temperature is generally three to five degrees higher than a human’s—what we would consider fever range—so it is much more difficult for our canine buddies to dissipate heat.

            Sadly, at Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital, we lose two or three of our beloved patients every summer due to the exertion of what were meant to be pleasure strolls. These pets sacrifice their own comfort, health, and safety just because they are happy to spend some time with their “parents.”  So, dog “mom’s” and “dad’s,” please remember to limit summer outdoor time, offer plenty of water, and allow for relaxation—it is just too easy for our pets to literally love us to death!

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