Dogs.  They do not sweat.  They can run for hundreds of miles during the Iditarod but a lab or border collie will run itself to death very quickly in 100 degree weather.  If you are playing/jogging with the pooch in the heat, shoot it...        with the hose.  Hose the dog!

A friend of mine had a Rhodesian Ridgeback.  Great dog, smart as a whip, always looking to help.  He took it down to the UTD campus, scouting for coeds.  Middle of the day, no clouds.  Walking across the parking lot he spied his quarry and leered like a moron.  The dog whimpered, and he told it to shut up.  After a few minutes it registered in his pea sized brain that the dog was doing a bit of a shuffle.  Her feet were cooking on the asphalt.  He carried her to the grass and examined the dogs feet.  Several pads had already blistered and separated from the foot.  It took over three weeks for the dog to get back to normal.

Of course, the idiot was me.  One reason people like dogs is that they will accept us as their leader and follow us unquestioningly, but there are times when people deserve to get bit.  I really wish she had sunk her teeth in my butt.  Every summer I think about the expression on her face, a mix of pain, bewilderment, and acceptance.  Argh!  @#$!!!

So, don't walk the dog on hot pavement.

[snoopy]

Thanks, I was about to take my dog running in about 30 mins, I'll soak him down before we go.  The look on his face will be priceless while chasing him with the hose also!

We used to have to put dog boots on our English Pointers when quail hunting in central Texas.  The rocks would wear the dogs feet out and the pads would come off after a while.

Those big hearted dogs wouldn't quit, even with torn-up feet.  We had to check them every hour or so to be sure they hadn't thrown a boot off.

We also hauled water with us and watered them every hour or even more often.  They would run themselves to death if we didn't.

As I'm sure you'll agree, it is the handler's responsibility to take care of the dogs.  We did our part.  They did their's.  Covey after covey.

I only take a dog out on a hot day if he will be near the water, a dunk in the water is the only way to cool him down, he loves the water.

[b]"I really wish she had sunk her teeth in my butt. Every summer I think about the expression on her face, a mix of pain, bewilderment, and acceptance."[/b]

Porn. Some view it. Some read it. Some film it. Some write it. And some live it. [naughty]

cynic