šŸ• Paralyzed Dog Learns to Walk šŸ’Œ

+ How hot is too hot for pets? šŸŒ”ļø

Happy 4th of July, Petlovers!

Lola & Herbie, as two shelter pets themselves, wanted to shed a little summer light on an issue that flares up every summer. For a variety of reasons, shelters get an influx of animals during the summertime. When this happens, there are fewer resources for the animals waiting to be rescued.

This makes it more important to share information, consider donating, consider volunteering, and even consider adopting during the summer time. So, forward this newsletter to your animal loving friends, and encourage them to look into their local shelters and see if they could use a hand!

 

🚨 30% Off While It Lasts!

Here’s what’s in store this week:

 

šŸ’Œ Paralyzed Dog Learns to Walk

ā˜€ļø How Hot is Too Hots for Pets?

🧯 70 Dogs Rescued from Daycare Fire

šŸ’ø Lotto Winner (at Bottom)

āœšŸ» Submit poll to enter into lotto

 

Heartwarmers
Paralyzed Dog Learns to Walk ā¤ļø

  • 🐶 Benny was scheduled to be put to sleep if nobody adopted him. He was a beautiful puppy with a handsome face, but adopters quickly turned him away when they realized he didn’t have the use of his back legs.

  • šŸ’Œ Once Benny was given a little love, and some accommodations were made for his care, his owner noticed that he was doing something unusual: he was troubleshooting ways to use his bag legs however he could.

  • šŸ• After a few months, Benny learned to use his legs as ā€œpegsā€, and this allows him to run almost flawlessly. His determination and cleverness has allowed him to live a full life. Watch his story below and fall in love with Benny!

 

 Weekly Learning šŸ“– šŸ¾

Does Acupuncture Actually Work for Dogs?

  • We talked with a holistic veterinarian and did a deep dive into acupuncture for dogs. Watch the result below and find out if acupuncture could be a method for you to relieve your dog’s discomfort:

 

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Front Page Pets
70 Dogs Rescued from Daycare Fire

  • 🐾 70 Dogs Saved from Daycare Fire – Every single dog was safely rescued after a fire broke out at A Howlin’ Good Time dog daycare in Missouri, thanks to heroic community members and first responders.

  • ā¤ļø Locals Risked Everything to Help – Employees at a nearby auto shop dropped everything to pull dogs from the burning building, even sheltering some until families could reunite.

  • šŸ™Œ A Community United by Love for Dogs – From supplies to temporary space, the entire town stepped up—proving just how deeply people care about their furry companions.

 

How Hot is Too Hot for Pets to Be Outside?

We all love a little sunshine—but when temps rise, pet safety becomes a real concern. Some pets bask in the sun like lizards on a rock, while others melt into the nearest shade. But how hot is too hot? At what point does a short walk or backyard nap become dangerous?

Whether you're caring for a brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog, a curious outdoor cat, or just trying to plan a safe summer day, this guide is for you. Let’s unpack the facts on heat risk—without fear-mongering or overcomplicating it.

 

🄵
The Heat Risk Zones

Not all heat is created equal. Here’s when pet owners need to start paying closer attention:

  • šŸ”” 85°F+: For most dogs and cats, this is the start of the caution zone. Short walks are okay, but asphalt, lack of shade, and humidity can quickly turn things risky—especially for seniors, flat-faced breeds (like Bulldogs or Persians), or overweight pets.

  • ā€¼ļø 95°F+: This is the danger zone for many pets. Even short outdoor time can lead to overheating. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, heatstroke can occur in just 15 minutes—especially if pets can’t cool off properly.

  • 🚨 105°F+: Emergency conditions. Extended outdoor time is not safe for any pet, and high-humidity areas make it worse. Dogs can’t sweat like humans—panting only goes so far. And cats, though more heat-tolerant, may become lethargic or dehydrated before showing visible distress.

šŸ’” Surfaces Matter: Pavement can be 40°F hotter than air temp. If it’s 90°F out, the sidewalk may hit 130°F—enough to burn paws in seconds. The rule of thumb? If you can’t hold your hand to the pavement for 7 seconds, it’s too hot for your pet.

šŸˆā€ā¬› What About Cats? While many cats seek warmth, indoor-only cats are safest in summer. Outdoor cats need cool, shaded areas and constant access to fresh water. Heatstroke, though less common in cats, can still occur—especially in long-haired breeds.

 

āœ…
Getting Outside Time in The Heat

You don’t have to lock your pet indoors all summer. With a few adjustments, they can still enjoy the outdoors:

  • Early Mornings & Late Evenings: Avoid peak sun hours (10 a.m.–4 p.m.). Walks and playtime are best before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m., when surfaces are cooler and temps are milder.

  • Shaded Outdoor Spaces: Set up umbrellas, cooling mats, or shaded beds for outdoor lounge time. For cats, screened-in porches or catios with airflow are ideal. Keep windows open with screens to prevent accidental escapes.

  • Hydration Stations: Always keep water accessible, both indoors and outside. Bonus points for adding ice cubes, pet-safe electrolyte drops, or even frozen treats like broth cubes or watermelon chunks (for dogs).

  • Cooling Gear: Cooling vests, mats, and elevated mesh beds can help hot dogs chill out. Some cats tolerate frozen water bottles wrapped in towels as a nearby cooling source. Avoid misting unless you know your pet enjoys it—some find it stressful.

  • Check Your Pet’s Breed Risk: Dogs with thick coats, snub noses, or heart/lung conditions are at higher risk. Same goes for elderly pets and very young kittens/puppies. In extreme heat, keep them indoors in air conditioning or fans.

 

The Final Takeaway

There’s no single ā€œtoo hotā€ number that fits every pet—but as a rule of paw, if it’s uncomfortable for you, it’s probably unsafe for them. Heatstroke can come on fast, but it’s also preventable with a little planning.

Keep outdoor time brief during heat waves, prioritize shade and hydration, and don’t be afraid to skip the walk on extra-hot days. Whether you’re strolling at dawn or building a backyard cat oasis, summer fun is possible—as long as comfort and safety come first.

Your pet doesn’t need a heat index calculator. They need you to pay attention, stay flexible, and know when to trade sunbathing for snuggles inside.

 

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The Tail Wag Tribune
This Week’s Key Pet News

 

Chihuahua Survives 2 Weeks Alone in Burned Building

  • 🐶 Chihuahua Survives 2 Weeks Alone in Burned Building – Vilo, a tiny Chihuahua, was found alive in the ruins of a fire-damaged building in Perth after 14 days of survival on her own.

  • 🚁 Drone & Thermal Tech Saved the Day – Rescuers used thermal imaging and scent-lured traps—with clothes from her owners—to coax her out safely from a hidden wardrobe nest.

  • 🌈 A Miracle Amid Tragedy – Despite the devastating fire, Vilo emerged without a scratch. Her return gave the community a powerful moment of hope in a time of loss.

History’s Most Extravagant Cat Painting

  • šŸŽØ The Most Fabulous Cat Painting in History – Commissioned in 1891 by millionaire Kate Birdsall Johnson, My Wife’s Lovers immortalizes 42 of her beloved cats in opulent Victorian style.

  • 🐱 An Icon With Nine Lives – This six-foot-tall, 200-pound masterpiece survived fires, earthquakes, and a century of travel—selling for $826,000 at Sotheby’s and still trending with the hashtag #meowsterpiece.

  • šŸ° A Castle, a Cat Floor, and a Legacy – Johnson’s cats once roamed an entire floor of her 40-room mansion, tended by servants—and their legacy lives on through one of the art world’s most extravagant pet portraits.

Dog Finds Forever Home After 640 Days in Shelter

  • 🐾 640 Days Later, Louise Finds Her Person – After nearly two years in a New York shelter, 4-year-old terrier mix Louise was adopted—and her emotional goodbye has touched hearts around the world.

  • šŸŽ„ Viral Send-Off Sparks Hope – A video of Louise taking ā€œone last look backā€ at the staff who loved her racked up over 1 million likes, inspiring a wave of awareness around shelter dog adoption.

  • šŸ’– Proof That Every Dog Has Their Day – Shelter staff called Louise’s adoption a huge win, reminding us that every overlooked dog is just one perfect match away from their forever home.