I was going through my last year newsletters hoping = I could just rip off something about fireworks instead of typing it all over = again as some people are getting ready to celebrate that way (not us here in AZ, everything is illegal, Ty is begging me to take him back to Wyoming for = the fourth ;-) ) And I read last years newsletter and just laughed, so I am including it this year as well:

         &= nbsp;      Naturally it has been hot for some time = now across the states and all of you know it is a bad idea to leave dogs in hot = cars. What we want to focus on are some alternatives so you can still take your dog = with you. I still go to several training groups each week, shows etc. So my = dogs need to come along. On short visits, I leave the Truck running with the = AC on and take a spare key with me so I can lock the doors. I don’t want = anyone letting my dogs out or stealing a running car! Although it would take = quite the fool to decide to steal a truck full of Dobermans! I also hunt for Shady = spots to park, even if it means walking a long distance. Some places you go = your Dog would be welcome if you ask permission ahead of time or if it is a pet = friendly location. I laughed hysterically yesterday when I went to the DMV, the = first thing I saw was a sign on the door that said “No Pets” I = tend to notice those kinds of things J then I noticed right at the front counter a = welsh corgi laying at some lady’s feet. It was not identified as a service = animal, so I laughed. But many people will welcome your dog to their business if it = is well mannered. The leading economists show businesses are recognizing pets as = family more and more and welcoming them to draw customer loyalty. I think it is = great so long as we only take dogs with good manners and don’t ruin it = for everyone else. Also this year for those times I can’t leave the truck = running because I will be too long and gas is $4 a gallon, I made a portable, lockable = kennel this year. I mounted a 12’x8’ kennel on a trailer, it has = turf grass for a bottom, a tarp across the top and two sides for shade, and a five gallon = bucket of water. Obviously it means the inconvenience of taking a trailer, but = it was a fun idea and works very well. I wanted to send a picture but the truth = is many of you know I do ornamental welding as well, and I wasn’t = happy with chainlink on my nice trailer, so I am working on some ornamental iron = work complete with a cutout of our logo! Anyway, always take plenty of water, = if the dog will be left in the vehicle, no matter how much you trust them, make = sure the vehicle is safe for them and from them J Zenny = ate my cruise control last time I left him without the rear barrier up, and I = trust him as much as any dog I have met in my life. It also helps to wipe them = down with wet towels in the hot summer it helps cool them off and don’t they = look great with that glossy wet coat! So use some common sense, include your pets = when you can, leave them when you can’t.

Also this time of = year many people go camping and want to take the dogs. I think that is great so = long as you don’t have a dog that likes to bark at everything and gets on = other campers nerves, be polite and keep them on lead or in an exercise pen, or at = your side all the time so you don’t intimidate others. Know there are risks = and be prepared, such as snake bites, ticks, other wild animals that carry = disease and may think your dog is dinner… RV camping is very dog friendly, = tent camping can be, and so can backpacking if you are well prepared. I like having the = dogs along for company, and they can warn me of dangers I am unaware of. Just = this week we had a black bear attack two campers in one of our favorite = canyons, and killed the one boy. The dog could at least have alerted us to the = presence of the bear, and perhaps scared it away, though a dog is no match for a = bear, several dogs can be and can run them off = effectively.

It really makes me laugh since Diesel fuel here in = Az has hit $5.25, and triple digits are the norm. It is too hot to leave dogs = in cars ever, the portable kennel was hideous, and I almost tried a dog trailer, = but realized, taking them in the RV with the generator and AC is the best = thing I have come up with still. We do try to visit dog friendly places or just = stay home and hibernate in the AC, 118 isn’t fun for anyone L So we are just getting ready to head out for Family Reunions back up in Utah and traveling with the dogs. We also decided to = try to plan a familydobes BBQ for anyone who possible could come later in July, = but then I thought we would wait until September or so when the weather can = be tolerated here for people and dogs so we might get some kind of turnout. = Email me back if you would be interested J

So I couldn’t dig up any of my old fireworks = warnings, so here goes. They are loud and dangerous for dogs. My dogs do well with = the noise of it all, since we work on that  for Schutzhund and other things, = and they are so high in prey they like to chase anything that moves. You can certainly see the problem… Anyway, if your dog is afraid of loud = noises, or if you are unsure, please don’t take them to a public park to watch = fireworks, work on noises and manners in public first. If you are leaving to go = watch a show somewhere, remember how terrifying it could be for a pet left home, make = sure they are in a safe secure place where they can’t be hurt or hurt = themselves. You also don’t want to develop lasting fears so consider all your = options for a pet friendly fourth of July celebration.

Steve Parsons

480-993-9797

http://www.familydobes.com

http://www.dobetalk.com