Wise words, Ginger. Thanks so much for posting them. I hope everyone who reads them takes them to heart. It is SO important at this time of year to NEVER leave a dog in a car, for ANY length of time.
Something else to remember is that it's not even safe to leave a dog locked in a running car with the air conditioner running. A running car can stall, leaving the animal locked inside with absolutely no air to breathe. In the summertime, it's definitely best to leave your pets at home where they are safe and comfortable.
Ghilly
I hate to see this too, whether it's leaving kids or pets in the car. I make a habit now of glancing in car windows when I walk through a parking lot just to see if there's a pet of child in there. If there is I will definitely call the police.
At our local large store in hot sunny weather I often walk among the parked cars to see if there are any dogs (or children!) shut inside. Once I saw a dog inside a car, a Spaniel, barking, and the temperature was very high with blistering sun outside. The window was open 2 inches, but I knew that was less than useless. I took the car registration, and went in the store, contacted the manager, and they called a message in the store. The owner came out, and I spoke to them. The woman was of course, defensive, saying she had only left the dog 5 minutes. Then we went to the car. The dog was ok. I hated having to do that, but had to put aside what they might think of me, or whether they'd think I was interfering. I felt glad I did it.
It is very easy to think "Oh I'll just dash in the store for some milk, and be out again in 5 minutes" But life isn't like that, and we often can get waylaid, and 5 minutes can turn into 30.
Hopefully there are tons of police, as well as child protective service workers to answer the phone every time you see a dog or a child in a car! In fact, you'd better program those numbers into you cell phone speed dial- I'd imagine you'll run into this occurence at least 25 times a day. And it might be a good idea to have your engine overhauled so that you can make a quick get-away out of town before your neighbors run you out on a rail! Where's the Gestapto when you need them, darn it?! Just kidding a bit- but 'might want to re-think that. I don't think you'd appreciate it much if somebody did the same to you.
Great topic. I can't say how many times I've had to track down people who left their animals in a roasting car. I have no shame about it these days. Some folks get defensive; others are grateful because they simply do not know how dangerous that practice is.
Leaving a dog in the open bed of a pickup is no more safe either. The dog still needs a water souce and many times they end up with burned footpads from the searing metal of the truck bed. Arrgghhh!
Hey girl! Great to see you posting again! {{{{{{{{Jaybay}}}}}}}}
Ghilly