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| OHCC LIVING | JULY 2021 | 13 Summer Pet Tips: Asphalt And Your Dog: As we humans escape into our homes that are air-conditioned or cooled with fans, we wonder why our dogs might be acting sluggish or begging to get back inside. Have you ever noticed dogs who refuse to walk on the road and just plops herself down? Paws scorching on the asphalt could be the problem… not your dog being stubborn. The pads of a dog's feet are not any thicker than our feet, so if it feels hot to your bare feet, then it's just as hot to your dog. Asphalt temperature and outdoor temperature are two very different realities. Is The Asphalt Too Hot For Your Dog? Place the back of your hand against the pavement and hold it there for seven to eight seconds… if it's uncomfortable for you to leave your skin there, then you shouldn't make your dog do it. You can also try walking on it barefoot yourself. When the outside air temperature is 77 degrees the asphalt in the sun is 125 degrees. You can fry an egg at 131 degrees. Just imagine how your dog feels as you drag them along on a walk - or stop to chat with friends - while being held still on asphalt. Also, think about the time of day: it takes hours for the pavement to cool off after the outdoor temperature goes down. Think about how the streets stay clear for quite a while when it first starts to snow, plus that asphalt has stored the heat from the day. Dogs cool off partly by sweating. It's much better to head to your outdoor event in the morning when the pavement is cool. Those cute paw pads aren't covered with fur which would give the dog a little more insulation if they were. Rules Of Thumb For Asphalt Dog Safety 1. As a basic 'rule of paw' - If the pavement feels too hot for your bare foot, it is too hot for Fido's. 2. Pressing your own bare hands and feet on the pavement for at least seven to eight seconds is a recommended strategy to assess heat level. 3. If the seven to eight second test yields a comfortable temperature, it is still critical to consider other factors to assess safety accurately. 4. The air temperature is NOT an accurate reflection of ground temperature at all! 5. Asphalt and other ground surfaces retain heat, and this temperature rises exponentially as heat and sun exposure continues. 6. Furthermore, the time of day is very relevant! 7. Asphalt soaks up the heat all day and can only cool down at a certain rate and only when the sun retreats- so pavement that was deemed safe for a walk at 9 am may differ greatly at high noon and into the early evening. Pet Lovers Club Do you need a temporary loan of medical equipment? Helping Hands maintains an inventory of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes and shower chairs for people living in Ocean Hills Country Club. Call one of the volunteers listed at the end of this article and we will deliver to your door at no cost to you. You can help a neighbor in OHCC by donating a clean, serviceable item that you are no longer using to Helping Hands. Check your storage areas for the items listed in this article. Tom Mazur, (760) 295-1006; Tim Wilbur, (760) 639- 5221; Dennis Drake, (760) 859-7046; and Gary Lucas, (760) 707- 8363; Dolores Hofmann, (707) 339-0508. Helping Hands Group OHSPA Slowly we are opening the Clubhouse! We are all happy about that but OHSPA is probably going to have to wait until 2022 until we have a concert unless Abravanel Hall opens to its 500-seat capacity. Anything less than that, OHSPA cannot afford to bring the Broadway, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New Orleans concerts to OHCC. We would certainly have to raise the $30 tickets to $75+ (what they charge in other venues) and we do not want to do that, and we know you all do not want us to do that! We look forward to 2022 when we can really open Abravanel Hall to its full capacity and bring our "headliners" to Ocean Hills Country Club. IF by chance Abravanel Hall opens for full capacity, we will immediately begin working on bringing a concert here before the end of the year! Stay tuned… questions? Call Donna Russell or any OHSPA Board Member.

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