Hot days — hot dogs

We've got some toasty weather on tap for the mid-Hudson Valley in the next couple of days, with highs in the mid- to upper-90s.

So play it safe with your pets and make sure they has access to shelter and plenty of water and never leave them in a parked car for even a few minutes.

Here's some good advice from the Humane Society of the United States.

Maybe this dog has the right idea.


Remember: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Thanks to Leslie for sending me the video.

Sunday funnies

Funny pets + funny kids = funny video.

Enjoy.

Fireworks reminder

We are coming into the home stretch for Fourth of July fireworks celebrations. Just a couple more through the weekend, notably tonight in Amenia and tomorrow night in the Village of Fishkill.

There are been several news reports about animals becoming terrified by the noise and flashes of light and getting loose. This AP report is from North Carolina.

So please take another look at this blog entry about keeping pets safe during fireworks.

Ready for adoption

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week. Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Buck — Domestic medium hair
"Looking for a great cat? Then the Buck stops here! Male black-and-white medium hair provides comfort, a compassionate ear and a great purr to ease those sleepless nights."

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.

Happy Fourth of July!

No. 4513012

But you can call her Kate.

I made it official today. Kate is now a legal resident of New York State. I walked across the street to the Poughkeepsie City Hall and got a license for her. Took all of 10 minutes and $7 (she's spayed, you know).

Yes, I know I moved to back to the state in January. Mea culpa. But at least I licensed her.

Initial licenses have to be done in person, with proof of rabies vaccination. In our case, the license will have to be renewed in May when Kate's rabies shot expires.

Subsequent renewals can be done by mail with a copy of the rabies certificate sent along as well. Couldn't be easier.

So if you haven't licensed your dog, do it soon.

Fireworks holiday reminder

As much fun as it is for us to watch fireworks, for pets? Not so much.

Here's a link to a recent post I wrote about keeping your pets safe during the Fourth of July holiday celebrations.

Some highlights: Keep the pets at home (more secure that way), don't leave them unattended in a backyard (might try to escape from the noise) and don't let them stay in the car (residual heat = bad).

Just a friendly reminder, that's all.

Hair-row to you, too!

Who's there?

I've had experience with dogs and screen doors. But a recent letter from Catherine DiGregorio of the Town of Poughkeepsie takes the cake.

She had just returned from exercise class around noon and was planning on having a snack and a nap when she heard a "horrendous noise like a bulldozer" slamming into her house.

"I rounded the hallway and came face to face with a huge, all-black dog. Of course, in my fear, he seemed like he was three times his size."

DiGregorio couldn't figure out how the dog got into her house and she was trying to shoo "Blackie," as she quickly named him, out the door.

Turns out, "Blackie" had crashed through her screen door.

"I ran outside to see if I could get some help. Alas, no one was around. In the meantime, Blackie was making himself right at home, roaming from room to room. He would not go near the door."

She called 911 who put her in touch with animal control, who showed up, collared the dog and identified who the owner was. DiGregorio contacted the owners the next day about the damaged door. They came by with a roll of screening and fixed the door.

"It was a nice way to meet such a lovely couple, but please 'Blackie,' if you decide to come visit me again, knock at my door and make sure you have your owners with you. It will be much easier on my nerves."

DiGregorio said you meet the nicest people when you least expect it, but offered a warning.

"You other dogs, this is not an open invitation to visit me also."

Thanks for writing and sharing your story.

Apparently "Blackie" was a little bit bigger than the dogs in this video.

Crate and barreling down the road

Under what circumstances would anyone think that putting a dog in a cage on the roof of a car for a long trip is a good idea?

Mitt Romney apparently thought so back in 1983 during a 12-hour family drive from Boston to Ontario. Sure, there was a shield of some sort but it must have been terrifying for the animal.

I don't even like to see people allow their dogs to stick their heads out the window. Look at your front grill or windshield sometime. That stuff can get in the dog's eyes.