Regina citizens find ways to keep dogs cool during heat wave

When you’re feeling hot, it’s likely that your four-legged furry friends are feeling the same way.

Dogs need to go out and get exercise, but they can be particularly vulnerable to dangerous conditions like heat stroke.

With temperatures in the mid-30s this week, dog owners have to consider the health of their pets.

At the Cathy Lauritsen Memorial Off-Leash dog park on the west side of Regina, dog owners Tuesday had many strategies to cool off their pooches.

One common tactic was timing walks either early in the morning or late at night to avoid the hottest parts of the day.

“We go out early before it gets too hot. I have a black dog and I don’t want her having heat stroke, so we get here early and get it over with … I love her, so I want to get her home early before it gets too hot,” one woman said.

Letting canine companions take it easy was also very common.

“We stop every so often. We don’t do a complete round (of the park) without stopping and giving her a rest,” another woman said. “She finds herself a chunk of dirt and shade, and she’s good.”

Everyone kept bottles full of cold water, but some used water in a more creative way.

This particular dog park happens to border a creek that runs into Wascana Lake.

“I’ve been letting (my dog) go jump in the river and cool off in the morning. I try to keep him inside and in the air conditioning as much as possible during the afternoon,” one man said.

“In weather like this, you don’t want to leave them out too long.”

Environment Canada said the heat wave is expected to end by Friday, but long-range forecasts say temperatures should remain between 25 and 30 C for the next week.