(photo credit: Ryan Brix/shutterstock.com)
As summer temperatures climbed and shelter kennels grew stifling, dogs waiting for their forever homes finally got a chance to splash, play, and cool off - all thanks to the generosity of a canine advocacy group and their members.
If you're like me during those blazingly hot days of summer, you're always purusing the weather app to find that sweet spot of time when you and the fur kids can get a few steps in. But for those sititng in a kennel, waiting for their forever family to show up, the summer heat can be relentless. Even with plenty of water and a sheltered sleep space.
What to do? Well, workers at The Animal Protection League, MidSouth Animal Welfare Foundation, and Karl's Canine Crew decided to take advantage of a Beat the Heat Care Package Campaign that would bring relief to the dogs in their care. As a result, said pooches enjoyed swimming adventures, shaded playtime, donated sock monkeys, rope toys, and even doggie ice cream cones sprinkled with healthy toppers. I'm loving this!
So, let's meet a few of these playtime participants. According to The Animal Protection League, Lola arrived as a stray on February 24. Just over a year old, she is playful and spirited with the people she trusts, though meeting strangers away from the shelter remains difficult, and she may tense or growl when approached. A volunteer took her to a local state park for a lake day where she waded through the water carrying a bright pink toy, cooled off, and even paused to investigate a curious bug. Awww... For a young dog still learning that the wider world can be safe, that carefree afternoon meant everything.
Then there's seven-week-old Quest from the MidSouth Animal Welfare Foundation who report that he and his seven siblings were rescued from a Mississippi home after their roaming mother became pregnant and the family could no longer care for them. They arrived covered in fleas, ticks, and with worms. Finally, they were surrounded by people ready to help secure a better future. Hand me a tissue!
Lawson came after an equally terrifying ordeal. Per MidSouth Animal Welfare Foundation, a woman driving past a rural northern Mississippi property in late March saw two large dogs attacking tiny puppies and stopped to save five of them. Lawson arrived trembling, bruised, and severely underweight. MidSouth volunteers stepped forward with medical care, food, and affection.
Karl's Canine Krew crowned Pickle their water-loving king after he embraced the campaign's pools with abandon - remarkable, given he once needed full oxygen support as a stray puppy. According to the rescue, they believe a mild neurological condition may trace back to that critical period, but it barely slows him down. Meanwhile Spike, a pit bull mix who spent seven months waiting after being returned, and Panther, rescued from the streets of Texas, both got the joyful attention every good dog deserves. Small treats. Big difference.
This just goes to prove that all dogs know how to play in the summer. Just add water!!