Yeah it was in addition to. I usually am up at 4 am to walk them before getting ready for work. I take them out to the grass for 5 minutes when I get home, they usually lay under the shade of a tree, then at about 9 or 10 I walk them again at a park on grass as the cement and streets are too hot to walk on still...

We use a kiddie pool from Wally World. It IS a pain to drain and fill, but it really helps with the heat. I've even been known to toss in a bag of ice...Falcon loves ice and watching him play with it is worth the price of admission.

That gives me an idea! Freeze different size containers with
water and magical ice treats!

I forgot to mention, we make frozen treats for the dogs for use in the summer (it has turned into a year round treat, they love them).

Ingredients:
Large container of Non-Fat Plain Yogurt (I believe its 32 oz)
1/2 cup or so of all natural unsalted peanut butter (I usually just eye this, can add more or less)
About a teaspoon of cinnamon
2-3 ripe bananas (depending on size)
Optional - blueberries or other "safe" fruits

IN a large bowl, Mash bananas, mix in yogurt, peanut butter, and cinnamon. I use a potato masher for the bananas and then mash in the yogurt, pb and cinnamon. Then pour into 3 large ice cube trays (you can also pour into small paper cubs so that you can give it to your dog to eat out of - make sure they don't eat the cup). Optional - put a blueberry either in the bottom of the ice cube tray and then pour the mixture over or just put a blueberry into each cube once filled with the mixture but before freezing.

Then freeze. After a walk or workout in warm weather, I give them one or two of the ice cubes, they chew and eat them. If you make them in the paper cups, they may lick them.

They love them and make a good homemade cold treat for them.

I make Popsicles for my dogs in the summer.

I use either a stainless steel bucket, or a plastic ice cream bucket.

I take berries, yogurt, meat chunks (cooked, no bones), kongs and balls, put them in the bucket, add water and freeze.

Then the next afternoon, I dump the frozen block into the yard and let them have at 'er. They have so much fun, munching on the ice to get the food and toys out.

I make multiple ones so each dog can have one, then just reuse the toys for the next day!

Keith: Thanks for the receipe. Thats a great idea. I've added
your list to my next grocery trip.

I have one of these cooling vests for my big dogs--they work great!

http://www.helpingudders.com/CoolingVests.htm

Also, have I ever mentioned this?

http://leerburg.com/icepup.htm?news=05112009




Don't PM me that this is mention number 13 thousand. I know.

This stuff is great. I have a senior with "squats" issues if his first meal of the day is straight from the fridge, and I just pour warm Ice Pup broth over it if I haven't remembered to leave the RMBs out for a while. I also now use it as the "bait" in "baited water" for a dog with diarrhea. This stuff actually smells and tastes great, and a canister makes a lot. It's right beside my plain pumpkin on the "must have" shelf.

And now it's getting to be time to use it as actual "Ice" Pups!

I also freeze blueberries when they're cheap and ubiquitous, using single ones as marker rewards (of course, only with dogs who consider frozen blueberries as manna from heaven - which two of mine do).

I love your blend too, Keith, because the peanut butter makes it far more chewy and less brittle when frozen (as any fat would). Great idea.

 Quote: Tracy Collins

I have one of these cooling vests for my big dogs--they work great!

http://www.helpingudders.com/CoolingVests.htm

I wish I would have waited and ponied up the cash for this vest, instead of the useless one I bought. :-(

Wow, that Cooling Vest looks awesome - what a great idea. Also LOVE the frozen treat stuff.

There is not a time I log onto this board that I don't learn something new.