What's Up Hawaii?

   Good Morning and Aloha everyone in the Hawaiian Life community. Di here with another Monday which means another Blog entry. This being summer and a HOT one all over the Country, today I'm talking about our animals because in these extreme conditions all over, our pets need all the help we can give them. I am sending two very good articles. One is a few years old but the information that is included could possibly save you the heartache of losing a beloved pet. It is an article from the Hawaiian Humane Society. Very important to read!!! The other is actually from a news story I saw over the weekend. It is about an extra special treat you can give your dog, or cat. It is the first of its kind, Ice Cream Truck... for Dogs in London! That just made me smile, so I tracked down the article to share it with you all. It's a really nice story to help out our important family members. ;-) I'll also include an article from Mike on the best times to visit the Aloha State...

                          *Taking Care Of Our Pets In Extremely Hot Temperatures*

   It is down right HOT almost everywhere. This has been a record breaking summer so far, and it isn't over yet. Heat warnings are everywhere. The other day I found myself complaining because it was soo hot inside. We were on our third month of over 90 degree temperatures and the air conditioner was steadily working overtime. Then I thought, what do I have to complain about. I have AC and fans to help stay cool, where so many people don't even have a fan to cool themselves. They can only pray for the sun to go down, to cool off maybe a little. It got me thinking about the animals...

   With the temperatures across the Country extremely high, in many cases triple digits, we have to remember to take care of our pets. I briefly mentioned this last week and with the temperatures on the East Coast at 100 degrees or more all week I thought it might be a good idea to do an article on our vulnerable pets. Our animals can not feed themselves. They can not get their own water and in these extreme temperatures we need to do our part to make sure they are being cared for properly. If at all possible please don't leave your animals outside.

   In Virginia, we have had temperatures in the high 90's and above that for almost three months now. All across the Country it is hot everywhere you look. We are fortunate because we have air conditioning and fans to help keep cool. The air conditioner works overtime and many times throughout each afternoon, you swear the thing is not working, but it is. The inside temp goes into the mid to high 80's, from the AC being overworked BUT it is better than 100 or more degrees outside. I feel guilty because I have nothing to complain about. My heart breaks for the people who don't even have a fan to cool themselves.

   As I look around though, our cats are laying around, very warm, looking like they have no air at all. When we are hot, most of us will wear what we can that cools us down, maybe a cotton tee that breaths or a tank top & shorts in the summer months. We take off all we can just to get by cooler. But our pets, whether it be a cat or dog, rabbit or ferret, guinea pig or hamster, or whatever your type pet, they can't take off their fur. I looked at my cats & they lay there looking half dead to the world, because they are so hot. I then think about all the animals that have to stay outside, like the wild animals outside or outdoor pets. They need to go to a cooler place but in these temperatures, there are no cooler places to go.

   If an outdoor pet can not be brought inside, you must make sure they have plenty of water. For dogs outside that are chained up, it is so easy to spill their water dish because the chain gets tangled up with the bowl of water & in the blink of an eye, the dish is easily knocked over. When we had dogs we always kept them indoors, until they needed to do their business. I've seen some people put large buckets of water out for a dog and that does two things. It is a larger quantity of drinking water for you pet but also if it isn't a really large dog, they might not knock over the bucket. Also if you have shade, hopefully the pet can get to that shade. In high temps imagine walking barefoot on the pavement, it only takes seconds for the pads of pets paws to burn as well.

   In these extreme temperatures, it only takes minutes for a pet to succumb to heat stroke when left inside a parked car, if they survive at all they could end up with brain damage. A closed vehicle, even a vehicle with the windows open a little, in this extreme heat would be no match for a pet, or a child as well. Never leave your kids in these high temps, not even for one minute. We have to do what we can. If you absolutely can't bring your pet in, you have to make sure there is plenty of water. Even though our pets are indoor pets, we run the sprinkler at different times throughout the day for the wildlife. If you're out & see a animal in need, maybe a neighbor is working and Fido knocked over his dish. Take a minute & fill that bowl, if it is a dog you know well enough to approach. Even if he drinks half of it and knocks over the rest, there is half a bowl that he could consume, which might mean all the difference.

   Times are tough all over, but we have to take care of our own. We have to take care of our pets. We have to take care of each other. If at all possible, give a dollar! A handful of change, if you can contribute, helps a family in need. Fans are cheap nowadays. Many places have them for $10.00 or less. There are local charities and organizations too many to list. Two that come to mind are The Salvation Army and The American Red Cross. Oh, and also Goodwill. Most people have been through hard times, myself included. Take a dime. It's only ten cents, but ten of those is one dollar & there are millions of people on this planet. We CAN make a difference. You might think that just pocket change isn't much, but when many people donate the same, it doesn't take long for that pocket change to turn into something huge that can change a life or at least help one out... If we all pitch in we can change many lives and the feeling that is left nside yourself for helping one in need...  is incredible... ;-)

   Well everyone, I hope you all have a great week and do what you can to stay cool and to keep your pets cool. Don't forget Facebook. The Hawaiian Life Fan Page has links to my articles, to Mikes articles, to other Hawaiian articles, info on Mikes book, friends connecting with friends and Tiki's!!! Yes, they are calling you... ;-) Don't forget we have a store front here at Hawaiian Life with all kinds of neat merchandise. You can get coffee mugs with Mikes quotes on them, or the Hawaiian Life Logo on them or Tiki's on them. I have cups for coffee in the morning & cups for hot chocolate at night... just saying! lol There is also Hawaiian Music and Hawaiian Books to pick up. There is even a wonderful book called A Pecunious Life from yours truly. Don't know if I've mentioned it!!! *smiles*  It's a great read and I promise you won't be sorry you bought it. I still after many tries can NOT get past the first part without a pool of tears. It fascinates me even more knowing what Mike has been through, and to see the man he has become today. A truly amazing man and wonderful friend... 

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Di @DianneLittle

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or his book is the Media Room...

http://www.mike-dolan.com/media-room/

http://hawaiianhumane.org/hot_weather.html

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38341496/ns/today-today_pets_and_animals/

http://hawaiianlife.com/content/best-times-year-visit-hawaii

Newest Virtual Book Tour Stop:

http://trishsilver.com/2010/07/welcome-mike-dolans-virtual-book-tour/

Until next time, Mahalo!

Aloha,

Di