Hot Weather Safety Tips for Companion Animals - Tena Stetler

Good Morning All! With all the swelting temperatures across the United States and around the world, I wanted to bring attention to your furred companions. Don’t leave your dog or cat in a hot car for even a few minutes.  Temperatures can climb to well over 100 degrees in that time. Unlike humans, dogs and cats can’t sweat to relieve their bodies of heat. Instead, they pant. When trapped inside a car, the recycled air inside the vehicle makes little to no difference as they attempt to cool themselves off causing them to face heat exhaustion at a much faster rate than humans.

Pets that are exposed to high temperatures can suffer fever, organ failure, brain damage, or even death. This goes for furred, feathered or scaled companions.

Signs that your pet is experiencing overheating can be rapid breathing, weakness, the appearance of a bright red tongue or vomiting. If you suspect your pet is overheating, move them out of the sun and heat. Use cool, not cold water to assist in bringing the animal’s temperature down. Then contact your veterinarian immediately!

Additionally, don’t take your animals out for a walk if the air temperature is 77 degrees or higher. The asphalt can be up to 129 degrees. If you must take your animal out to relieve themselves, stick to grassy areas, dirt trails or shaded sidewalks.  If you can’t hold your hand on the asphalt for at least 7 seconds, it too hot for the pads on your dog’s feet.

Keep these tips in mind for a safe and happy summer for you and your pets.

Speaking of pets, lets take a peek at my new release, Raven’sHollow Spring Magic, which features an adorable rescue dog named Cocoa.

Spring is in full bloom in Raven’s Hollow, a small town in the Colorado Rockies with a population of unique townspeople. Blaze, a dragon shifter, and Wynter, a witch, are neck-deep in wedding preparations when Wynter’s mother, Jade, goes missing after opening her new antique store and attending the Simon estate sale where she procured an ancient jelly bean machine. Frantic with worry, Blaze and Wynter track her last movements via the store’s ancient, grainy security footage. What it reveals is nothing short of shocking. As deputy sheriff, it’s Blaze’s responsibility to find his soon-to-be mother-in-law. But at what cost?

A sneak peek between the pages of RAVEN’S HOLLOW SPRING MAGIC:

LoraLee waved from the front porch of her rescue. “Mandy said you’d be stopping in. What can I do for you?”

“Not sure. My house is too quiet. No one to greet me at the door last night. Uh—”

“Where’s Blaze? That man is always working.” LoraLee shook her head.

“It’s not that, he’s away on business, but—”

“I understand. Come on in, look around, see if one of my residents calls to you.” The woman motioned around back. “It’s so nice everyone is out in their runs today.” LoraLee let Wynter wander down the path between dog runs. “Rabbits, birds, reptiles are housed on the left at the end of the runs. Cat’s are in the enclosure with covered exercise areas on the right beyond the lilac bushes.”

“Thanks.” Wynter inhaled the sweet scent of Lilac as she ambled between the runs. Several dogs rushed to the gate, barking, and wagging their tails. Wynter talked to each one, hoping for a connection, then moved on. Almost at the end, she saw a chocolate colored, furry dog, with the saddest brown eyes she’d ever seen. The canine stretched out in a patch of sunlight a few feet from the animal’s gate. Peering at the sign on the gate, she knelt down. “What’s your story Cocoa? Why so sad? It’s a beautiful day.”

The dog raised its head, swiveled its ears forward and back, then stared into her eyes, and wagged its tail once almost hopefully, then got up stretched and wandered over to the gate.

Wynter turned to LoraLee as the woman came up to stand by her. “May I pet Cocoa?”

“Oh sure. I wondered if you two might connect. Cocoa lost her owner to a heart attack a few weeks ago. Hasn’t had much of an appetite or interest in life since. She’s five years old, and spent all of those years the center of the old woman’s life. So sad.” LoraLee brightened. “This is the most interest she’s shown in anything since she’s been here.”

Reaching her hand through the fence, Wynter rubbed under the dog’s muzzle, side of the head, and ear. Cocoa closed her eyes then licked Wynter’s hand with a dark purple tongue. The dog’s tail curled over her back for a beat, then drooped down again.. “Can I take her for a walk around the compound?”

“Of course. I’ll get her leash and harness.” LoraLee rushed to the administration building and returned quickly.

“How about going for a walk, girl?”  She stood, opened the gate hesitatingly, and knelt in front of the dog blocking the exit.

Smiling, LoraLee opened the gate wider, sidestepped Wynter, and slid the harness over Cocoa’s head and snapped the leash on the harness. “Off you two go.”

The dog’s tail curled over her back again and the Cocoa trotted beside Wynter. Cocoa turned her head occasionally to gaze at her possible rescuer. At least Wynter got that vibe.

Leading the canine over to a big shade tree, Wynter stopped, eased down on the grass and rubbed the dog under the chin. “Well, what do you think, girl? Would you like to come home with me?” She rubbed Cocoa’s ears. “I have a dragon shifter for a fiancé, but you’ll get along fine, I’m sure. He’s a good guy. A little opinionated and pushy, but…” She shrugged feeling the dog’s sadness, now overshadowed with hope, Wynter made her decision.

Looking for a great weekend, beach, or camping read? Look no further, Raven’s Hollow SpringMagic is the key to a relaxing time.