This Staffordshire Bull Terrier was found in the Flathead Drive area and might possibly have come from Nine Mile Ridge or Griffin Rd - are you missing this big guy?

So, we've arrived at summer temperatures and the close to 100 degree mark. While it's uncomfortable going from a cool home to a hot car, and then from a cool car back out in the heat, etc., we are fortunate to seek out cooling off spots wherever we can.

Our shelter animals suffer although we have shade cloths over the outdoor kennels and fans inside the kennel - no air-conditioning available or feasible at this point in time. When I'm out at the shelter, I can appreciate any breeze blowing from any direction to keep the air moving a bit!

Have you thought about how heat affects your outdoor pets? Please make sure they have a shady spot to be throughout the day - the sun rises and it's wise to see if your dog is able to move to shadier areas as the day progresses - especially if it is chained. Sufficient water supply is tantamount! A small bowl of water will not suffice - it gets hot pretty quick, so please put out one or two large buckets of water in shady areas and make sure your dog can reach them! If the bucket is not full, pets can turn them over and lose preciously needed fluids they need in the heatwave.

Pets who are unable to cool off will pretty quickly suffer from heat stroke and dehydration which can cause brain damage and kill your pet. If there is any way, please take your pets inside while you're home to allow it to regulate its body temperature.

Cats, too, need fluids more than usual during the dog days of summer. I know we have many outdoor cats in this area and it is important they also have a water source!

We have a small pond and fountain in our front yard, and it is amazing how much wildlife as well as domesticated animals make use of the somewhat stagnant pond water. It's entertaining to see "the traffic" in the front yard and I am glad it's there for whatever animal might need a drink.