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By Teri DiMarino-Davidson Summer is here so keeping pets comfortable in the heat should always be a primary concern in Southern California. Dogs and cats release body heat differently than humans. It may bother you when you see your dog hot and panting, but this is the way he sweats and releases heat. They also sweat through the pads of their feet. If you are sweating and your dog is panting, you are both doing the same thing! Both of you should get a drink of water, relax and cool down! We all want to get our pets out for their long walks but be aware that heat exhaustion can happen very quickly in this weather. The first symptoms are excessive panting, drooling, racing heartbeat, red gums and foaming at the mouth. If you feel your pet is in heat stress it is best to get him to cool down and to call the veterinarian as soon as possible. On hot days try to keep the long walks in the cooler mornings and evenings. Many pet owners believe that clipping their pet's hair will aid in keeping them cooler for the summer but that is simply, not true. A dog's coat is a natural insulator. Short-haired dogs generally can suffer heat exhaustion quicker than longer coated breeds. You don't remove the insulation from your house in the warmer weather, and you shouldn't do it to your pets either. Last, but certainly not least, we hear of the sad fate of children locked in hot, closed cars, but let's not forget about our four- legged friends. Just because your car window is cracked open doesn't mean that it is safe. Even with outdoor temperatures at a fairly comfortable 80 degrees, the closed car can reach over 100 degrees in as little as 10 minutes. Many of our dogs love an outing and I know my four-legged kid looks forward to "going for a ride" every time I put on shoes or reach for the keys, but if you are going somewhere where your pet is not welcome (grocery store or restaurant) it may be better to leave your pal at home. See you on the trails! FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JUNE 2015 9 Keeping Your Dog Cool In The Summer Dear Tabby; I am relatively new to Four Seasons (almost a year). As pet owners, my husband and I enjoy reading your informative "Dear Tabby" column in the Breeze. I am a semi-retired librarian and do professional photography on the side with an emphasis on pets. I recently shot an "end of life" session for a client and her dog who has terminal cancer. It was a bittersweet experience and it really brought home how important it is for pet owners to take photos of their "fur kids" while they are still alive and well. One of the things that attracted us to Four Seasons is the pet friendly environment. Since your article reaches all the residents of Four Seasons, I thought it would be an ideal place to remind pet owners how important it is to take the time to photograph their pets. Whether they take the pictures themselves, or have a friend do it, or hire a photographer, - it doesn't matter. They will have a print to hang on their wall or place on their night stand to remember their friend when they are gone. ~ Alex Dear Alex, I couldn't agree with you more! While I have had wonderful dogs over the years, I regret that I do not have good pictures of some of my first "fur kids." However, we do have a lovely portrait of our Parker, who passed seven years ago. I can't tell you how nice it is to see his face every day. His collar and lead hang on the frame as a reminder of our neighborhood walks. Readers, please take a lesson from Alex and have your pet photographed. It is sad and unfortunate that we don't have our four-footed friends longer, but a good photograph is a lasting reminder of all the love and good times you gave each other.