If your dog is hot and you can’t immediately get out of the heat, it can help to pour water over his head, neck, chest, abdomen and feet. If no water is available, use alcohol wipes on the pads of his feet. Alcohol evaporates faster than water, so it has an enhanced cooling effect.
Get overheated dogs out of the heat as quickly as possible, and consult a veterinarian to ensure they recover properly. Note that alcohol can be toxic to your dog when ingested, so use it sparingly. And never put alcohol on a cut or open wound.
It’s a good rule of thumb to double the amount of water you’d normally carry for yourself to ensure you have plenty of water for both yourself and your canine hiking companion. You should never depend solely on water sources along a hike. Creeks can dry up and water fountains often break.
I haven’t had much chance to do more write-ups on the various hikes we’ve taken Baxter on just yet but stay tuned. Baxter is still a world class puppy hiker! We recently ventured on a road trip to British Columbia with Baxter as the cutest back seat driver. We all enjoyed several hikes in the rain forests of the Pacific Northwest, but Baxter was no fan of the ferry rides.
We love enjoying the outdoors with Baxter and plan to continue hiking in the new year. The above photo is one my favorite shots I took of Baxter this year while we hiked in Tapia Park in Malibu last March. He’s walking along a twisted tree branch about 5 feet off the ground. I think it captures Baxter’s almost fearless spirit and determination to always be on the go, ready to explore new scents and sounds. I hope we can match that attitude in 2011!
Learn about the remarkable journey one man has taken to walk 2,000 miles with his 2 dogs! It’s taken over two years, but he’s made it from Austin all the way to Boston, all the while raising awareness for cancer. The final mile of his journey will be celebrated this Saturday.
Eaton Canyon is a popular hiking trail in Pasadena. The hike to a 40-foot waterfall is a relatively easy hike on a well marked trail with beautiful views. This is a nice beginning hike to test both you and your dog’s abilities. We went during the perfect time of year, April. With so much rain this winter, the wildflowers were in full bloom. The water level of Eaton Creek was higher than normal but still at a safe level.
