Dear Fisher,
I am just tired and I feel like an old dog. It’s hot out there and my boy wants to play like it’s no big deal. But, I AM older, and I really enjoy a lot of resting around the air conditioned house. But, you know, I sure don’t want to disappoint the lad. He’s still young and full of energy and I am his best friend in the world. Got any ideas?  

Rusty  

Dear Rusty,
You may be a little on the older side, but certainly wiser for asking. You are right to get rest and not overdo in this heat. My advice is to get up a little earlier each day – before the sun is bearing down and the humidity curls your hair. If your boy is a slow starter, you will have to work on that. Egg him on and do your puppy-hearted best to get him moving with you. A small boy who loves his dog is just as eager to please you as you are to please him. He just isn’t aware that too much play can be harmful to you. Campaign for early morning playtime and again in the evening as the breezes come up and the sun goes down.  

likely have a choice of two different scenarios. First, if you are a city dog, stay off the hot sidewalks as much as possible and get thee to the nearest City park. I have recently witnessed a dog wearing something called doggie boots. His owner tells me it helps protect his paws. An added advantage of the little boots is if you should step in somebody's discarded gum, it is much easier to get the sticky mess off the boots than it is to get the gum out from between his paws.  

Secondly, if you are a dog with a nice yard, stick to the shaded areas. Even in the shade it can get very hot so try to keep the games of run-and-fetch to a minimum. A good game of tickle the tummy under the big oak tree could be very satisfying to you both.
 
Just a few more tips for the two of you:

• Always know where your next gulps of water are just in case…
• Never go romping out in the heat just after a meal
• Don’t go to the beach – no shade trees there!  

Your young friend is probably unaware of the dangers of your getting yourself dehydrated and over heated. Your whole family should be on the watch for the symptoms of overheating such as excessive panting, difficulty in your breathing, drooling and weakness. You could even start to become disoriented – and they must know it is not you just trying to entertain them with your goofiness. Go to http://www.aspca.org/news/national/08-21-09.html for more hot weather tips.
 
As soon as you feel yourself overheating or dehydrating, grab your comb and coax the boy into some quiet grooming time -  preferably inside! It is great bonding and by now, he is probably a little tired himself.
 
Stay safe and happy!
Your friend,
Fisher