The next couple of months should be good news for holiday makers looking for warm-weather fun, but heat-waves can be bad news for pets.
Every year dogs die from heatstroke, usually from being left too long in a parked car. Dogs are very susceptible to heat-stroke since they don’t perspire. Instead, they get rid of their heat through panting. Their normal temperature is 39C, and once the air gets to 35C there is not enough difference between the air going in and coming out. The dog stops losing heat, his body temperature rises, and if it reaches 43C, it is almost certain death. This can happen in less than an hour. Parking in the shade, leaving windows open is NOT ENOUGH. Small courtyards facing south are also death traps and dogs left in the back yard can get heatstroke. Also, You must never give a dog chocolate, as this does not absorb in the system, and can make the dog very ill, or even can kill it. A dog is a friend for life, so take care of them. People with high blood pressure or suffering from stress can be calmed by simply stroking a dog.

Now dig this: A reader asked, how can I stop cats from digging in my flower pots? Well, as we all know, that can be very bothersome, and destructive. Here are some things to try. Cover the soil surface with gravel, large mulch chunks, thorny branch trimmings or chicken wire. Also, you can try using a repellent spray, either the commercial formulation or a simple homemade garlic spray.

Take a donkey for a pet: If you have the space, why not consider adopting a donkey? – they make wonderful pets. These lovable, hard-working animals are threatened with extinction on Crete as they are rapidly being replaced with machines. The few remaining village donkeys are being moved to a special center in Austria where they will be cared for, if they're lucky. Some villages, when they have no more use for them, simply abandon them or, much worse, push them off a cliff where their remains are picked at by vultures. Not a pretty sight, and not very humane.

Get groomed: The Iraklion Canine Society is holding its 2nd International Dog Show on Sunday, Sept. 24, in the Gournes Exhibition Center. If your dog feels up to competing, you can get an entry form at www.dekk.gr.