Going to see my friend

Yesterday just after lunch Mr & Mrs Stop'it disappeared in turn in the human "rain room". Now I know when they go in there often it means they are getting ready to go out. The problem is it does not always include me! Each time I sense they are ready to go out I make it pretty clear to them I want to go too. Sometimes it works other times I get left behind to guard the kennels. This time I was lucky, the pillow I sit on in the "blue tin box on wheels" appeared so like a whippet I'm in there!

Its good fun in the tin box, head out of the window and able to bark at all the big white vans we pass.

Soon I realised where we were off to, my mate Pal's house.

Like normal we had a great old time, I was able to nick some of his food and chew his ear a bit whilst the Stop'its talked to the people Pal looks after........

Now if I heard correctly, Pal is coming to stay with me for a few days next week.........I'll keep you informed.....

Shall I go for swimming lessons?

Now you will recall my moans about the fact us canines are not allowed on the beaches in Greece between May & October, the main tourist season. This is despite the fact we never leave litter, empty beer cans or cigarette butts in the sand like some humans do, and most of our responsible owners always clear up if we well "get caught by natures demands".

Now I have just heard that across the water in Italy my friends are encouraged to patrol the beaches, in fact some 300 of them are actively helping save the lives of tourists on the Italian coast lines. So far nearly 3000 rescues have been actioned by "life guard dogs" either jumping from rescue boats or helicopters supporting human lifesavers in rescue missions.

Now I was thrown out of a car before Mr Mrs Stop'it adopted me, thats got to give me a good start for being thrown out of a helicopter, don't you think ?

My friends need help !!!!

Hi again,

Sorry I have not been writing much over the last week or so but it has been a really hot period for us weather wise, in fact it still is! Unlike the humans us dogs are not allowed on the beaches in the tourist season to cool off, so I have tended to stay in Mr Mrs Stoppit's air-conditioned basement.

Now as much as I would like to go on the beach or in the water to cool off, I want to draw to your attention the very sad and serious plight of some of my canine friends that do get put in the water.....but very much against their will

PLEASE take a look at:-

http://www.causes.com/causes/285452?m=9e4cc0c7&recruiter_id=26258015

and join to support this cause.......

Hot cars are death traps for dogs

For today I have decided to help some of my canine friends out there who's people they look after are some what less caring than mine.................

Five reasons not to leave your dog in the car this summer, even for "just a minute"

Pet owners must avoid leaving their dogs in hot cars this summer – a practice that can lead to serious illness and even death.

Leaving a dog in a hot car is dangerous and often deadly. Visit MyDogIsCool.com to learn more.

“Often people leave their dogs in the car while they shop or run errands, but doing so when the weather is warm can literally be a death sentence for your pet,” there are five reasons why leaving a dog in a hot car can be deadly:

1. Dogs are especially vulnerable to heat-related illness because they can only cool off by panting and through the pads in their feet.

2. Even on seemingly mild days, an enclosed car can be deadly., When it was 72 degrees outside, a car’s internal temperature climbed to 116 degrees within one hour.

3. Enclosed cars heat up quickly. It was 80 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car rose to 99 degrees in 10 minutes and 109 degrees in 20 minutes.

4. A dog’s normal body temperature is between 101 to 102.5 degrees; a dog can only withstand a high body temperature for a short time before suffering nerve damage, heart problems, liver damage, brain damage or even death.

5. Studies show that cracking the windows has little effect on a car’s internal temperature.

· To learn more about the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars, visit www.MyDogIsCool.com.

*** FACTS ABOUT DOGS AND HOT CARS ***

What happens to dogs left in hot cars?

· Exposure to excessive heat causes the body’s cells to stop working properly and release dangerous chemicals, which can lead to nerve damage, heart problems, liver damage, brain damage and even death. Essentially, all of the dog’s organ systems shut down at once.

· Signs a dog is suffering from a heat-related illness include:

· Excessive panting

· Excessive drooling

· Increased heart rate

· Trouble breathing

· Disorientation

· Collapse or loss of consciousness

· Seizure

· Respiratory arrest

Visit MyDogIsCool.com to get educational materials, like this visually powerful poster.

· “Don’t Leave Me in Here – It’s Hot!” fliers that can be left on windshields

· Free downloadable posters that can be hung in store windows to remind customers not to leave their dogs in the car on a warm day