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Health & Fitness

Double Dog Dare: Keep Your Cool and Keep Your Dog Cool

Tips for staying cool this summer—for humans and dogs alike. Recipes and personal experience tips from a seasoned hater of seasonal temperature changes.

It’s official. The brisk mornings and fire pit evenings are coming to an abrupt end here in Northern Virginia. At this point in the year, “keeping cool” has a lot more to do with safety and comfort than keeping one’s temper. If you’re like me, you mourn the loss of mornings that nudge you into your favorite sweatshirt and evenings that catch you off guard, making you wish you’d brought a sweater. You picture summer lurking around the next corner, swaying and grinning in a dehydrated stupor, sweat dripping from its sun-bleached brow.

You and me, we could retreat. We could let the weeds finally overtake the house, blast the A/C and turn our homes into caves of comfort. The problem is we live in a really great little town with lots to offer at all times of the day. We have dogs that want to play outside because they have no idea that the heat index is what is making them pant like crazy and put their paws in the water bowl. We have backyards (take that, Old Town!) with patio furniture, grills, gardens and shade. Regardless, we humans tend to feel uncomfortable in this annual seasonal shift.

In this post I’ll discuss two separate topics: a) making your dog more comfortable in the heat, and b) making you more comfortable in the heat.

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To begin: a disclaimer. The most important aspect of maintaining comfort in the heat is hydration. Water is paramount when considering the safety of you and your pet. Always keep fresh water available for both parties. If you are sunburned, drink more water. If you are drinking alcohol or caffeine, drink more water. Basically, when in doubt, have a glass—and get a bowl for your furry friend, too!

Our dog Kona is a lab-Great Dane mix. He’s fully black and gets hot really easily. Yet, he enjoys basking in the sun (he alternates shade and sun lounging about every 10 minutes). My little guy, Luda, is a beagle-Chihuahua mix. He usually stays in the sun for about 10 minutes, and then takes a reprieve under my car. Here are some ways I’ve found to keep them entertained and cooler when I’m gardening or reading outside.

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  • Frozen bandanas: Wet a bandana and put it in the freezer. When you take the dogs outside, wrap the bandana around his neck. It will thaw, dripping ice cold water on his chest and back. While you’re at it—do this for yourself, too. It’s a torturously pleasant experience wrapping a frozen piece of fabric around your neck.
  • Homemade, dog-friendly frozen yogurt:
    • Combine any of the following ingredients with plain, full-fat yogurt (I get mine at the ):
      • Canned pumpkin
      • Peanut butter
      • Ripe, mashed bananas
      • Honey
      • Savory option: broth
    • Freeze in small paper or plastic cups. Make sure they are big enough for your dog’s snout.
    • Remove from freezer and serve!
  • Ice-lick: Depending on the size and attention span of your dog, the size of this might vary.
    • Choose vessel* (cake pan, small bucket, etc). Fill with treats, toys and water. You can add some broth if your dog is extra spoiled.
    • Let freeze.
    • Remove from vessel. You can put it on a couple of bricks, your back walk or just the ground. If your dog is very tall, it might be nice to put it on a chair or stool. If it’s a scorcher, put it in the shade (safer for the dog and it will take longer to melt).
    • Watch with glee as your dog’s eyes glaze over as she licks mindlessly for minutes or hours at a time.

There are lots of ways for humans to stay cool in the summer, and I am certainly not going to enlighten you with any “new” methods. As someone who does not handle the seasonal transition well, though, here are some ways I’ve made it more tolerable.

  • Temperature regulation in the home: We live in an apartment with two window units and four ceiling fans. We do what we can to keep the apartment cool without having to use the window units, as we fear that they are not very eco- or wallet-friendly. The fans are frequently utilized. Our apartment isn’t as cool as I’d like it, but it’s my belief that keeping your body temperature moderately consistent makes the inside–to–outside transition a bit easier. Also, be mindful of your use of electronics. We try to bake more in the toaster oven because it produces less heat. Keep the shades drawn when the sun is really pouring in, and take cooler showers.
  • Cold beverages: Iced tea and smoothies are staples in the summer. Here’s a smoothie recipe I crafted recently from ingredients found at the farmers market.
    • Creamy Berry Smoothie for Two (measurements not exact—use your best judgment):
      • 3 tablespoons of plain, full-fat yogurt
      • Half a cup or so of milk
      • Half an avocado (Seriously! This is what makes it so creamy.)
      • 5 strawberries
      • A handful of blueberries
      • 6 cherries, pits removed
      • Two teaspoons of honey
      • 4-5 ice cubes
    • Place all ingredients into a blender and take the next logical step. Pour into tall glasses and sip slowly. Chill.

 

*If your vessel is tall, freeze the water and toys or treats in layers so you have an even spread. It might take a little longer, but if you have multiple dogs this might be a good option to keep them entertained for longer.

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