Editorial: July 12, 2024

In the second heatwave to hit the New York area, temperatures are 90 degrees and above. It’s that time of year affectionately called the Dog Days of Summer. The dates of this time-honored period are July 3 to August 11. Global warming is making the extremes in the weather patterns more commonplace in terms of the length and strength of storms, as well as heatwaves that far exceed the dates mentioned above. The name Dog Days of Summer has its origins with the ancient Greeks, who came to name the brightest star in the summer sky “Seirios”; its meaning is “scorching,” and throughout the ages it morphed into “Sirius,” a star in the constellation Canis Major. Hence the Dog Days of Summer. It has a different meaning for us in the world of purebred dogs: We have Dog Days all year long as we keep our dogs safe in cold and hot weather. Summer Dog Days are different in that we have to deal with the heat and keeping our dogs cool during these oppressive days. It can never be overstated: We have to take special care during these heat events at dog shows. Keeping our dogs safe is our first priority. With more outdoor dog shows, ice, shade and a watchful eye are paramount. Dogs in closed motorhomes and rigs with air conditioning must be personally checked regularly because alarms and other safety devices have been known to fail. We have seen notices on premium lists stating that the club reserves the right to break into a car or truck if there is a dog in distress inside the vehicle. All clubs should institute that policy. It seems that every summer we hear of some accidental event that results in the tragic loss of a dog’s life caused by heat. Let’s make this the safest summer yet without a single dog losing its life. Wishing you all safe travels and a successful summer show season.