Welcome to the board, Shreela!

Good idea on the spray bottle. Dogs can only really cool themselves by panting and through the pads of their feet. In hot weather, I fill a rigid plastic wading pool in a usually-shady spot. My dog jumps into it and stands there to drink. Multi-purpose: water bowl and foot cooler.

Sue

Sue,

We used to have a Collie/Chesapeake Retriever mix that had long, black fur. She was always hot (panting) when we went to the cottage (no a/c). She did not like the water (lake) but sometimes she would walk in up to her belly and drink (even bigger water bowl).

Now I know why she did that (cool her feet). Thanks for the info!

I hadn't even thought of that but having been trapped on a freeway for HOURS, it makes a lot of sense.

BTW, when you mention a fan...I assume you mean a folding hand fan or something similar, correct?

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread.

One thing that I always have with me when traveling with dogs is a muzzle. Yes I know how to improvise one and have done so, but a nylon muzzle like a Miki muzzle is cheap, easy to carry, more effective, and more comfortable for the dog.

If your dog is injured, a muzzle can literally be a life saver for the dog. In a disaster or rescue situation it is more likely for your dog to be allowed in a transport vehicle or shelter if he can be securely muzzled. Some agencies/pilots require that we muzzle our SAR dogs for transport. These are the same agencies/pilots that will be providing transport in a disaster or rescue.

Muzzles aren't EDC, but they go wherever the dogs go. Plus backups in the disaster kit and BOBs.