Summer is a wonderful time to get out and enjoy family activities, swimming, visiting friends, and picnics.  All the things we wait all winter to do are upon us.

I love to involve my dogs in as many summer activities as I can.  They love to swim, help me garden, walk, go to the park.

I take a few precautions in the summer that I don't usually have to worry about when we are out in the cooler weather.   I carry water in a thermos for the dogs, if I am leaving them in the car for even a short time, I find shade (even if that involves walking a little further) and leave the windows down 3-4 inches.  I have heard too many stories of dogs disappearing out of cars recently to take any chance of someone being able to unlock my car in my absence.  All of my dog crates have fans, they make some really reasonably priced crate fans.  Of course if you must be gone for any length of time it would be better to leave you 4-legged friends at home.

If your dogs are not crazy in love with children be alert when you are around young ones.  They move so quickly they can be in your space before you know it.

Check the warmth of pavement if you are going to be walking on it, particularly asphalt which can be mighty hot in the summer, unfortunately your dogs don't have shoes on.

One more pet peeve of mine is seeing people jogging with their dogs in the hottest time of the day.  Remember, they are wearing fur coats!!!!!

Summer is here such a short time, make it enjoyable for both you and your 4-legged friends.