#Middlebury
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: This morning, I was walking into the drugstore when I heard a small dog frantically barking from a nearby car. I looked in the window and saw a toy poodle rushing back and forth along the back seat, putting her paws on the closed windows and barking at everyone passing by. The car was not running, so no air conditioning, though it was parked in a shady spot. I rushed inside the store and called for the manager, who contacted the police.
They immediately opened the car and rescued the little dog, who was panting heavily. Please let your readers know that leaving your pet inside a locked car, even in the shade, can be a death sentence! – Relieved Pet Mom in Maine
DEAR RELIEVED: I’m glad this story had a happy ending! Folks, even on a pleasant day with temperatures in the mid-70s, the interior of a car can heat up to life-threatening levels of more than 100 F. That’s even on a cloudy day, or when parked in a shady spot.
Even if you leave your pet inside a locked, running car with the air conditioning on, that’s still not acceptable. Your pet will be very anxious without you present, and anything might happen while you’re away.
If you want to take your pet with you, make sure the places you go will welcome pets inside. (Your pet should be well-trained and responsive to your commands, and not aggressive to other dogs.) Or, have a friend come along and sit in the running car with your dog or walk them in a nearby grassy area or park while you shop.
Otherwise, leave pets at home. The risk is not worth it.
Send your questions, comments or tips to ask@pawscorner.com.
© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.
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