Hello everyone! Welcome to this issue of Mighty Mutts! Hope you are all well and enjoying summer with your doggos!

This week we’re continuing the “Summer Safety” series; each week, you’ll learn about a safety tip (or two) to keep your mighty mutt safe and cool in the hot weather 🙂

And of course, Pablo has some things to tell his furry friends.

-Enjoy!

Don’t keep us a secret – share this with another large breed dog owner: mightymutts.beehiiv.com

Pablo’s Ponderings

Hello furry friends out there! Hope you’re enjoying summer! I’ve just been chillin on the patio with mom and dad. Kevin the squirrel has been busy - I think I saw him steal a piece of toast the other day and skirmish up our tree. Man, he’s quick! But I’ll catch him someday, mark my words… I’ll catch him someday..*sigh*

Friends, are you scared of thunderstorms or fireworks? It’s ok to admit it, it’s just you and me here and I won’t tell anyone! If you are, there are some things your hooman can do to make sure you’re comfortable and a little less afraid.

That’s about it for this week, stay cool and enjoy these lazy dog days of summer!

Don’t forget to send in those pictures - would love to see them!

Until next time...

Woofs and wags,

Pablo

For some dogs, a thunderstorm is just background noise. They might glance out the window, yawn, and go back to napping.

For others? It's the end of civilization as they know it.

The first clap of thunder sends them diving under the bed, squeezing behind the toilet, or trying to become a 100-pound lap dog. Fireworks can trigger the same reaction, leaving many dogs trembling, panting, pacing, drooling, or desperately searching for a place to hide.

If this sounds familiar, you're certainly not alone. Noise phobias are one of the most common fears veterinarians and behaviourists see.

Here's a myth that's been around for years:

"Don't comfort your dog—you'll reward the fear."

Fortunately, modern animal behaviour research has put that idea to rest.

Fear is an emotion, not a behaviour your dog chooses. You can't reinforce genuine fear by offering comfort any more than you could "reward" a frightened child for being scared.

If your dog comes to you looking for reassurance, go ahead and provide it. Speak softly, gently pet them if they enjoy it, or simply sit nearby. Your calm presence can help them feel safer.

The key is to remain relaxed yourself. Dogs are experts at reading our emotions. If you're running around saying, "Oh no! It's so loud!" they'll likely conclude there really is something to panic about.

Many frightened dogs naturally seek out a den-like area.

That might be:

Don't force them out. If they've chosen a safe hiding place, let them stay there until they feel comfortable coming out.

Some owners even create a "storm bunker" with blankets, favourite toys, and soft bedding.

You probably can't stop the thunder, but you can reduce its impact.

Try:

Every little bit helps.

Not every frightened dog is interested in food, but if yours still has an appetite, try distracting them with:

Licking and chewing can have a calming effect for many dogs.

If you know storms are forecast or fireworks are planned for the evening, try to give your dog a good walk or play session earlier in the day.

A mentally and physically satisfied dog often copes a little better than one with extra energy to burn.

(Just don't head out if you can already hear the thunder rumbling in the distance!)

Some dogs experience true panic rather than simple nervousness.

If your dog tries to escape, injures themselves, refuses food for hours, or becomes inconsolable, it's worth speaking with your veterinarian.

They may recommend:

There's no prize for "toughing it out." Some dogs genuinely need extra help.

Our dogs trust us to keep them safe—even when the sky sounds like it's falling apart.

You don't need to fix the thunder.

You don't need to convince them fireworks are beautiful.

Sometimes the greatest gift you can give is simply being the calm, steady person sitting beside them until the storm passes.

And once the clouds clear? Don't be surprised if your brave companion emerges from under the bed acting as though absolutely nothing happened… except perhaps expecting a celebratory treat for surviving the "end of the world."

We've all said it before.

"I'll just run in for one thing."

"I'll only be a couple of minutes."

Unfortunately, on a warm summer day, those few minutes can be all it takes for a dog's body temperature to rise to dangerous levels.

Every year, dogs suffer heatstroke—and many don't survive—simply because they were left waiting in a parked vehicle.

Even if the temperature outside feels comfortable, the inside of a parked car heats up incredibly fast.

Think of your car as a greenhouse. Sunlight pours through the windows and becomes trapped inside. Within minutes, the temperature can soar to dangerous levels.

Cracking the windows an inch or two doesn't provide enough ventilation to keep your dog safe.

Neither does parking in the shade. As the sun moves, that shady spot can quickly become full sun.

When we get too hot, we sweat over most of our bodies.

Dogs don't.

They cool themselves mainly by panting and through the sweat glands in their paw pads. While panting helps, it's simply not enough when the air around them is already dangerously hot.

As their body temperature climbs, their organs begin to struggle. Heatstroke can develop quickly and is always a medical emergency.

Watch for:

If you notice these signs, don't wait to see if your dog improves.

Move your dog to a cool, shaded area immediately.

Offer small amounts of cool (not ice-cold) water if they're able to drink.

You can gently cool them with cool, wet towels or water on their body, especially around the belly, armpits, and paws.

Then head to your veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic right away. Even if your dog seems to recover, heatstroke can continue causing damage to internal organs after the initial crisis has passed.

Many dogs absolutely do.

The safest choice is simple: if your destination doesn't allow dogs inside, leave your furry friend comfortably at home.

They'll likely be much happier snoozing on the couch in air conditioning than sitting in a hot vehicle wondering when you're coming back.

If a dog appears to be in distress—panting heavily, drooling excessively, unresponsive, or collapsing—time matters.

If possible, try to locate the owner immediately by asking nearby businesses to make an announcement.

If you believe the dog's life is in immediate danger, contact your local police, animal control, or humane society right away. They can advise you on the safest and most appropriate next steps.

While it can be tempting to break a window yourself, the laws vary depending on where you live, so contacting authorities is usually the safest course of action.

Our dogs trust us completely. They don't understand why we've left them behind or why the car keeps getting hotter.

What they do know is that they're uncomfortable, frightened, and unable to escape.

This summer, if you have errands to run, let your dog enjoy a cool nap at home instead.

They'll still be just as excited to see you when you return—and you'll have the peace of mind knowing they're safe.

After all, the best summer adventures are the ones where everyone comes home happy, healthy, and ready for the next walk.

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That’s it for this issue. See you next week! Feel free to share this with other dog owners!

--Maryanne and the Mighty Mutts team