Pet Lovers Stupidity!!

[foxmeadow]

My wife and I were at the Farmers Market in Brownwood today around noon. The temperature was probably in the 90's. The road surface was probably over 100 degrees. Here comes a guy with a little shelty dog. As he stopped at one of the booths, the dog immediately layed down and tried to lick his paws. My wife went over to ask the guy if he realized his dog was probably burning his feet. The man basically told her to mind her own business. As he walked away, the dog kept trying to lay down. There were other dogs there also, but this one was obviously in distress. Why can't these so-called animal lovers understand their animals better. If the human can't walk on the surface without foot protection due to the hot surface, why the hell do they subject their beloved animals to this torture?? I'm hoping someone can see themselves in this rant and become a little more aware.

[janieb]

Hopefully even though he told you to mind your own business, he will think about what you said and do better in the future. I am not sure why so many pet owners think that they should take their dog everywhere with them even when it is not in the dog's best interest.

[gocubsgo]

Wow..that truly is not a dog lover. That is a selfish person who cared more about showing his dog off than it's well being. I would have been in the guy's face until he finally picked that poor dog up. Hurray for your wife confronting him.

I see a lot of people pushing dogs in strollers in this heat as well. Those things are toasters on wheels...no air flow and that plastic gets HOT. What's worse is a couple of them actually put clothes on these poor dogs!! Stupid people...get a Barbie and leave your dogs at home!

[kittygilchrist]

My wife and I were at the Farmers Market in Brownwood today around noon. The temperature was probably in the 90's. The road surface was probably over 100 degrees. Here comes a guy with a little shelty dog. As he stopped at one of the booths, the dog immediately layed down and tried to lick his paws. My wife went over to ask the guy if he realized his dog was probably burning his feet. The man basically told her to mind her own business. As he walked away, the dog kept trying to lay down. There were other dogs there also, but this one was obviously in distress. Why can't these so-called animal lovers understand their animals better. If the human can't walk on the surface without foot protection due to the hot surface, why the hell do they subject their beloved animals to this torture?? I'm hoping someone can see themselves in this rant and become a little more aware.

thanks for posting. who thinks of burnt puppy paws? it's so foreign an idea when you never heard of pups with blistered feeties. pix on the news of pups in the Arizona heatwave alerted me.. all of the dogs are wearing foot covers.
keep up the good work..
Kitty

[Madelaine Amee]

My wife and I were at the Farmers Market in Brownwood today around noon. The temperature was probably in the 90's. The road surface was probably over 100 degrees. Here comes a guy with a little shelty dog. As he stopped at one of the booths, the dog immediately layed down and tried to lick his paws. My wife went over to ask the guy if he realized his dog was probably burning his feet. The man basically told her to mind her own business. As he walked away, the dog kept trying to lay down. There were other dogs there also, but this one was obviously in distress. Why can't these so-called animal lovers understand their animals better. If the human can't walk on the surface without foot protection due to the hot surface, why the hell do they subject their beloved animals to this torture?? I'm hoping someone can see themselves in this rant and become a little more aware.

Same thing at Spanish Springs for the Farmer's Market on Thursday. I cannot imagine what they are thinking --------- oops, they are not thinking or the poor animal would be waiting in the air conditioned house.

[kittygilchrist]

oh dear, people come here from all over and the idea of baked puppy paws is inconceivable...please let's not condemn.
I'm sure no one with an inkling would expose their dog to harm.
Kitty--Loves puppies and their owners too

[DianeM]

What a poor puppy. Hope the owner gets some brains soon.

[CFrance]

Hopefully even though he told you to mind your own business, he will think about what you said and do better in the future. I am not sure why so many pet owners think that they should take their dog everywhere with them even when it is not in the dog's best interest.

I agree with you, janieb. The first response by the dog's owner might be be one of defense and anger. Who wants to becalled out o something that would make them look careless? But hopefully, the owner will go home and think about it.

Good for the OP's wife for speaking up. It may not have been popular at the time, but it may have done some good for the dog.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Not to steal the thread, but do you see many people in TV with shoes on their dog's feet? I am being serious because I want to know what I need to do when I come down with my dogs and how to handle walking my dogs since they obviously can't only go outside well before sunrise and long after sunset.

[tommy steam]

When it's 90 out pavement can be 130 , blacktop can reach over 150. Human skin will burn in. 1 second at 158 .... So I don't think it's foolish for dogs to have some sort of foot protection when walking on super hot pavement or black top. Try walking bare foot on it and see how long you can.

[Barefoot]

My wife and I were at the Farmers Market in Brownwood today around noon. The temperature was probably in the 90's. The road surface was probably over 100 degrees. Here comes a guy with a little shelty dog. As he stopped at one of the booths, the dog immediately layed down and tried to lick his paws. My wife went over to ask the guy if he realized his dog was probably burning his feet. The man basically told her to mind her own business. As he walked away, the dog kept trying to lay down. There were other dogs there also, but this one was obviously in distress. Why can't these so-called animal lovers understand their animals better. If the human can't walk on the surface without foot protection due to the hot surface, why the hell do they subject their beloved animals to this torture?? I'm hoping someone can see themselves in this rant and become a little more aware.

Foxmeadow ... good for you highlighting this issue! Good for your wife who talked to the dog's owner!

Another problem I see is people locking their dogs in cars on hot days. I think that is just cruel. I always go in the store (while my husband hides) and page the owners of the car. Some times they're belligerent, some time they thank me. Either way, they usually get in the car and drive off, and hopefully will think twice before doing it again.

[tommy steam]

I lived in Arizona for a while and it was not uncommon to see billboards advertising not to leave children or pets in a hot car. I think people need positive reinforcement some times.

[gomoho]

Not to steal the thread, but do you see many people in TV with shoes on their dog's feet? I am being serious because I want to know what I need to do when I come down with my dogs and how to handle walking my dogs since they obviously can't only go outside well before sunrise and long after sunset.

Most folks are out walking the dogs before 8 or after 6. You will probably find it much more comfortable for yourself during those hours as well. I have never seen a pooch here with foot protection.

[mfp509]

My dog groomer was giving everyone a "heads up" on this issue last week when I was in there. She said they have been seeing some dogs "pads" in horrible condition - obviously burned.

[CFrance]

Ltbd, I have never seen a dog with foot protection either, but I wonder if they even work if, like an earlier poster said, the street temp gets up to 130. Our big dog can't handle the heat and hot sun beating down on him, boots or no boots, so we walk early morning or after dark.

Do you know about Doggie Doo Run run? That's a big dog park, all grass, easy on the feet--yours and theirs.

[aussiemom]

Ltbd, I have never seen a dog with foot protection either, but I wonder if they even work if, like an earlier poster said, the street temp gets up to 130. Our big dog can't handle the heat and hot sun beating down on him, boots or no boots, so we walk early morning or after dark.

Do you know about Doggie Doo Run run? That's a big dog park, all grass, easy on the feet--yours and theirs.

Having lived in Arizona for many years all our dogs had foot booties if they would be walking anywhere, even just going to PetsMart. The only time I didn't put them on was when I walked at 4 in the morning before work. When we were up the lake and walking around the docks, they always had them on up there also. And yes, the foot booties do work. And it's not just in Arizona......the pavement holds a lot of heat in the summer, even in more Northern states. Just take your barefoot and let it sit for a minute or two on the pavement.......if your hot, so is your dog. Best to walk them early in the morning or later in the evening and leave them home in A/C when you decide to cruise the markets, etc. during the day. Dogs may not like them at first, but keep using them and they will get use to them. They will love you for it in the end.

[CFrance]

Having lived in Arizona for many years all our dogs had foot booties if they would be walking anywhere, even just going to PetsMart. The only time I didn't put them on was when I walked at 4 in the morning before work. When we were up the lake and walking around the docks, they always had them on up there also. And yes, the foot booties do work. And it's not just in Arizona......the pavement holds a lot of heat in the summer, even in more Northern states. Just take your barefoot and let it sit for a minute or two on the pavement.......if your hot, so is your dog. Best to walk them early in the morning or later in the evening and leave them home in A/C when you decide to cruise the markets, etc. during the day. Dogs may not like them at first, but keep using them and they will get use to them. They will love you for it in the end.

Thanks, aussiemom, for the first-hand knowledge.

[Didiwinbob]

Please talk more about the shoes for dogs? Please PM if this is the wrong thread to discuss

[kittygilchrist]

it would educate more folks if the dog shoe discussion got its own thread. and it would be more positively motivating.
so I started a new thread with pictures.

[Patty55]

Another thing to think about is sunblock. You might want to think about it if you're going to be out for any length of time.

[krausaj]

If I have to take my guy with me, I leave the car running, air conditioner on and lock the door with an extra set of keys. But never never leave the dog in closed car when it is 70 degrees or higher.

[CFrance]

If I have to take my guy with me, I leave the car running, air conditioner on and lock the door with an extra set of keys. But never never leave the dog in closed car when it is 70 degrees or higher.

We used to do that too, but the car we use most now won't let you lock the doors if the engine is running. Technology ruins the dog's day!

[kittygilchrist]

I leave the doors unlocked. Emma is in charge of would-be-robbers.

[tommy steam]

[quote=foxmeadow;703784]My wife and I were at the Farmers Market in Brownwood today around noon. The temperature was probably in the 90's. The road surface was probably over 100 degrees. Here comes a guy with a little shelty dog. As he stopped at one of the booths, the dog immediately layed down and tried to lick his paws. My wife went over to ask the guy if he realized his dog was probably burning his feet. The man basically told her to mind her own business. As he walked away, the dog kept trying to lay down. There were other dogs there also, but this one was obviously in distress. Why can't these so-called animal lovers understand their animals better. If the human can't walk on the surface without foot protection due to the hot surface, why the hell do they subject their beloved animals to this torture?? I'm hoping someone can see themselves in this rant and become a little more aware.[
I hope so also.

[kittygilchrist]

thanks for trying. we need a pr campaign and an organization..

[Shimpy]

Some people, including myself haven't even thought about this. I had a wonderful Boxer that was trained to immediately set when I stopped walking. I noticed one day that Max would set then slightly stand up, try to set again then stand up again. THEN I realized he was trying to put his bottom on nearly melting asphalt. I felt so bad for him that he got extra treats when we got home.