Robby's Animal Safety Reminder

Can you imagine how hot the inside of your car can get when it's 118 degrees outside, like recent temperatures in parts of Arizona and Nevada? According to PETA.org, on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature of a car can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes. 

 Animals can suffer brain damage and possibly die from heatstroke in only 15 minutes. This is especially true for dogs, because they can only cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paw pads. If you see an animal left alone in a hot car, take down the car's make, model and license plate number. Call local humane authorities or police. DO NOT leave the scene until the animal has been rescued.

Watch for heatstroke symptoms including restlessness, excessive thirst, thick saliva, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and lack of coordination. 

One last reminder, be very careful when walking your dog on the pavement or sidewalk. If it's too hot for you to walk barefoot, it's too hot for your dog as well.

Robby's Quest children's storybooks, written by D.C. Rush. 

www.dcrushbooks.com