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.

My trip from Phoenix to Portland wasn’t easy. Packing, unpacking, getting lost in a new town, and those first grocery trips for a new place that can top $400. It’s been stressful, so I decided to treat myself to a facial tomorrow morning. But I’m not the only one a little stressed out about the new environment, Maisey is too! She hasn’t been eating as much, she’s not totally comfortable in the new digs and is basically staying as close to me as she can. Right now, she’s fast asleep and I’m glad. Hopefully a good nap will rest her anxious mind. Ever since I set up her crate, she’s been hanging out in there. I’m sure it’s familiar and comfortable to her.

So what are the best ways to make a transition like this easier on our pets? Here are a few things I’ve picked up along the way:

• Keep familiar items available and out in the open - As soon as I set up Maisey’s crate, she was eager to jump right in and take a nap.
• Bring their toys out to play - Maisey lightened up when I unpacked her favorite squeeky duck.
• Show them around - Maisey and I scoped out the new digs together. I gave her plenty of time to sniff around the new backyard and to explore each room in the house.
• Don’t leave for an extended period of time, too soon - I’ve been taking short trips out of the house (20-30 minutes). Until this feels like home for her, she might worry I’m not coming back.
• Reward them for the little things – If they go potty outside (even if they’ve been potty trained for a long time) reward them! Practice a few sit and stays with a reward. Dogs like structure and consistency, so this should be comforting to them.  
• Don’t encourage the anxiety – At my old place, Maisey hated the balcony. Here, she appears to fear the refriderator. I’m practicing walking through the kitchen with her and making it no big deal. The worst thing you can do is baby them or pick them up and coddle them, it will make them think the anxiety or fear is warranted.

Most of all, be understanding. The move can be just as, if not more so stressful for your pet, as it is for you. Dogs are creatures of habit and don’t enjoy change. A little care and attention can make the whole process easier on both of you.

Tomorrow Maisey and I are leaving for Portland. This move is so much more for me than just a new job in a new state, it’s the sunset of a very emotional chapter in my life. A chapter full of happiness, sadness, pain and faith. Those who know me, or have read my “about me” page know some of what the past two years brought for me.

So I prepare to depart on a very bittersweet journey tomorrow, which ignites both excitement and sadness in my heart. I’m listening to a song that speaks those emotions far better than I ever could.

The Heart of Life

I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There’s things you need to hear
so turn off your tears
and listen

Pain throws your heart to the ground
love turns the whole thing around
no it wont all go the way it should
but I know the heart of life is good

You know it’s nothin’ new
bad news never had good timing
then the circle of your friends
will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground
love turns the whole thing around
no it won’t all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

Pain throws your heart to the ground
love turns the whole thing around
fear is a friend who is misunderstood
but I know the heart of life is good 

- John Mayer

Yesterday was my last day at work in Phoenix, AZ. Monday is my first day at work in Portland, OR. This is the first time in my life I’m making a big life change for myself. It may sound odd that a 27 year old girl has never made a choice strictly for herself, but I haven’t.

So finally, I’m carving a life for myself. For purely selfish reasons – and I like this feeling. It’s scary, I’m mourning my old life but I’m inspiried by the new possibilities. Maisey is excited about new parks, new smells. I’m excited about new friends, new places to see, visit and eat.

The adventure begins on March 25th when Maisey and I pile our toys in the car and start driving. A new beginning, a new opportunity, a new life.

Well, it’s not exact across the entire country (only from Arizona to Oregon), but Maisey and I are packing up shop and moving to a new state because mom got a new job. I’m excited because the new job is a great career move for me, and Maisey is excited because Portland is the #2 most pet friendly city in the country!

So as I am starting to plan all the details that go along with a gal traveling solo to a new city, I starting thinking about travel plans for Maisey so we both arrive to our new home safely. I need to make sure she’s up to date on her shots, find pet friendly hotels along the travel route and pack her pet travel kit. This is going to require a lot of planning! While checking into some of these details I realized how much car retailers are starting to build productsand car features to make pet travel more comfortable, very cool! Maybe I’ll even get the Skybox Booster Seat before I leave.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

• Dogs can get car sick (so I’ll pack some paper towels)
• You should not leave you dog along in the car for an extended period of time (I knew this already, but worth mentioning)
• Make sure your pup’s identification is up to date with your current contact information and bring a recent picture of your pup, just in case.
• Take frequent potty breaks
• Make sure your dog drinks plenty of water along the way
• Pack a list of rest stops and veterinary hospitals along the way, food, treats, poop bags, a blanket, toys and and food and water bowls

What better travel buddy can you think of than your dog? She won’t talk the whole way, she won’t change the radio station and she’ll give me love and kisses whenever I’m feeling nervous or scared about my new life. 

So if you see a girl traveling between Arizona and Oregon in three weeks, her Prius packed full of shoes and dog toys, and a Chihuahua riding shotgun…it’s probably me, so say hello!