It’s summertime and the weather is beautiful here in Portland.  But, I recently underestimated the harmful potential of even a mild summer day, on my dog.

Last weekend I ran into the store, leaving Maisey in the car. It was only about 74 degrees outside, and I left the windows cracked. I returned less than 15 minutes later to my love, panting. The second I saw her I felt horrible. The car was warm (not hot) and she was uncomfortable. I didn’t think for a second that the car would get so warm on a cool, breezy afternoon with the windows down.

I learned my lesson, fortunately not the hard way. You may not realize exactly how hot a car can get. Check out the numbers at mydogiscool.com, a program of United Animal Nations. When it’s 72 degrees, a car in direct sun can reach an internal temperature of 116. Even in the shade, a car can be 10 to 20 degrees hotter than outdoors, and cracking the window has almost no effect.

According to Veterinarian Cate Rinaldo, a volunteer with United Animal Nations, dogs don’t have sweat glands all over their bodies like humans do, so the main way they can cool off is by panting, which isn’t very efficient.

Once a dog’s body temperature gets over about 106 — normal temperature is around 101 — the result is “everything from nerve damage, heart problems, liver damage, systemic organ failure, and it happens fast, within a matter of minutes,” she says.

Even indoors, it can get too hot for some animals. MSNBC.com tells of an elderly, overweight beagle that died of heat exhaustion in his own home; sadly, the house did have central air conditioning but the owners hadn’t left it on since there were no people home.

I am very protective of my dog. I would never to anything to put her in harms way, and yet, I made this very simple mistake.

Please remind your friends and family that even on a nice day, being left in the car is not only dangerous for your pet, but could be deadly.

Health Magazine confirms what dog owners already know–that owning a dog is good for your health. In addition to the companionship, unconditional love and the joys they bring to our lives, studies show that dog ownership is bound to lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and increase your life expectancy.

“The breadth and depth of what dogs do to benefit humans’ happiness and longevity is pretty remarkable,” says judge Marty Becker, DVM, author of The Healing Power of Pets.

Part of this could be attributed to the fact that dogs make get up off our butts and play, move around and exercise, but I think dogs also reduce our stress and anxiety levels; they show us how to just be happy with what we’ve got.

Add to that the role dogs play as service companions and the ways that they are contributing to medicine—from detecting cancer, providing hope for autistic children, and comforting psychiatric patients—and there’s really no argument that owning a dog has a positive impact on your health and your quality of life.

My favorite part from the article?

What kind of dog is best? Dr. Becker especially sings the praises of small, mixed-breed shelter pups.

Um, hello? That’s Maisey to a T! Not that I needed a doctor to tell me that she’s the perfect dog, but the small shelter mutt shout-out sure is amiable.

Maisey helped me through a difficult transition in my life. What exactly her presence did for me is indescribable, but I’ll never doubt the power and beauty of having a dog in my life.

Last weekend Maisey and I got outside for a good cause and participated in the Oregon Humane Society’s 2009 Doggie Dash.

The annual fundraiser raised over $220,000 for the non-profit organziation and we had a blast.

Would you be willing to pay a membership fee to use city dog parks that you currently can visit for free?

With state budget cuts trickling down to the cities within them, taken for granted luxuries such as school music and sports programs, city or state funded parks, and public transportation are being cut back or eliminated.  Seems that now, dog parks aren’t even free anymore. 

This makes me wonder, where exactly are my tax dollars going these days? Bailing out big banks, auto companies and CEO bonuses? While a possible dog park fee is by no means the biggest detriment caused by drastic state budget cuts, it’s ridiculous to think tax paying citizens are being asked to fork out more money just to go to the dog park! I would gladly pay a dog park fee if a fee was set up to support local dog shelters or help animals in need. But a mandatory dog park fee that is a direct result of government and big business financial irresponsibility is just too hard to swallow.

I understand we are in difficult times, and proposals such as the one in Novato, California are likely to pass. Can we at least make some good of it? Can dog park registrants be forced to provide proof that their dogs are up to date on vaccinations? Can a portion of the fees be used to support animal population control?

I would assume most dog owners wouldn’t deprive their pets of the joys of the dog park despite the fees, but the bone would be a lot easier to swallow if we know the program will do some good for the local pet community.

Ben Stein offers some advice on how to get through tough economic times:

Get a dog. 

I totally agree.

Porn stars love dogs, too. Adult film star Mia Presley, along with a few other notable names in the porn industry recently launched Porn Stars 4 Pups, the self proclaimed “headquarters for those interested in helping  four legged friends in various adoption places and rescues across the country.”  

Their inspiration for creating the site? According to Mia Presley; ”I think we should use our gaining celebrity for something that is a great worldly cause.”

The site features Southern California rescues, profiles of dogs available for adoption and several photos of the scantily clad stars with their pets.  Also somewhere in the mix is a photo of Ron Jeremy and a turtle. 

On the home page, the porn stars remind us that “Its important for those folks who want to help to know that giving as much as a few cents makes more of a difference then not giving at all… and giving a giving a pup a home is  just as valuable as making a conrtribution” 

Very eloquently put, ladies.  At least their heart is in the right place.

In all seriousness, celebrities and public figures that use their names to support animal well being and adoption are all heroes in my book.

Even though it was raining, Maisey and I ventured outside today to Alberta Park. I didn’t plan ahead, unfortunately, and Alberta Park was muddy. Coming from Phoenix, we haven’t had the chance to play in the rain and mudd much, but it was no surprise that Maisey loved it.

We’ve both been a little stressed, and it turns out muddy shoes and paws, a wet car interior and off leash romping in the rain was just what we needed.

I just wish I had thought ahead to bring a towel.

Today was my first day at the new job. I’ve met the people, tasted the company culture and learned of a few key perks.

Like most companies right now, this company is enduring it’s toughest economy. There were layoffs a few weeks ago. Employees are worried layoffs will happen again. It’s a difficult time for an organization to keep up employee morale, and an unhappy company culture is a sure fire way to decrease productivity and creativity.

Well, my new employer (at least in my opinion) offers a few great perks that will keep me satisfied. The best of those perks? Dogs are welcome in the office! Maisey can join me at work everyday, if I choose. I have no doubt all she’ll do is curl up on my lap or in a chair in my office and sleep, but just her presence will reduce my stress level and keep a smile on my face throughout the day.

Not to mention, it’s a great place for her to socialize. If other employees have their pets there on the same day, then she can make friends and she’ll become more comfortable meeting new people (something we need to work on).

According to a recent survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, a significant percentage of Americans believe having pets in the workplace increases creativity, decreases absenteeism and fosters better relationships among colleagues.

Employers take note! It doesn’t always take money to keep your employees happy (at least not this new employee)!

Obviously, I love dogs. Those who know me personally, know I also have a thing for ducks. So, of course I needed to share this video with you. Don’t you just love the simplicity of friendship in the animal world?

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Dog lover, Oprah Winfrey recently debuted her newest family member on her show, an adorable blond Cocker Spaniel puppy, named Sadie.

Sadie came from Pets are Worth Saving (PAWS), a no-kill animal shelter in the Chicago area. Oprah urged viewers to consider adopting from a shelter where many people are giving up pets in these tough economic times, and even brought three of Sadie’s adoptable brothers and sisters onto to the show.

Oprah is a wonderful advocate for animals and I applaud her support of the animal and rescue communities!

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