5.22.2012

May 22, 2012

White Dog was stretched in front of the open window on the fainting couch. She groaned, "It is nearly 9:30 at night and it is STILL 87 degrees! I am going to melt!" Today had been a Spring scorcher, high in the mid 90's. The new plants were all drooping from the shock and the White Dog Army was panting their discomfort into a breathy chorus.

Most of the day was spent doing the things that will become more commonplace as we get into the rhythm of desert summer: keeping the sun out; staying hydrated; lying under the fans on the cooler tile floors; moving little.

Caught unprepared, we have not yet switched on our evaporative cooling system which requires Steve to go up on the roof and reconnect water lines and power. He has promised to get up at dawn tomorrow and do so before the heat builds. The White Dog Army has spent time this evening remembering favorite spots under the swamp cooler downdrafts...and figuring out where the new kid will be comfortable.

Like the robin harbinger of Spring, our friend Jes made her annual call to encourage me to "shave those poor dogs for the summer." We have this conversation every year and she refuses to believe that the double coat of Eskies actually protects them by reflecting the heat and shielding their delicate skin from sunburn. All I have to do is mention Nuka's shaved to the skin "cut" from when she arrived to send all of our pups running...none of them is convinced that bare skin is the breezy summer look they desire.

So once again our routine changes, forced by Nature to live the schedule that makes sense in the desert: outside things get done VERY early or well after sunset; mid-day is for lying quietly with a chilled drink at hand and daydreaming; dinners switch to cold salads and things that won't heat up the kitchen; bedtime walks are blissful just right times of glittering stars and soft whispering breezes; and sleep comes to the drone of fan blades whirling.

11 comments:

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Oh I hope you drink lots of water to stay cool! How can it be so hot at your house and it was only 50 degrees here today, and poured down rain!
Stay cool!
love
tweedles

FiveSibesMom said...

Here it jumped suddenly up into the high 80s this week, much to the distaste of the Sibes. The pool came out and the a/c's went in. Lots of snoozing and trying to keep cool. It rained today and gave us a break to the 70s, but tonight is warm in the 60s, but comfortable at least. Why do folks always want us to shave our dogs? I guess they don't understand the insulation aspect. Stay cool and safe and enjoy the extra lazing and snoozing time!

Suka said...

hey WDA,

I am right there with you. The heat is arriving here as well. I spent most of today inside, sleeping, as you pups did. The rest of the week is going to be in the 90s. Yikes! Sounds like you pups have your days planned right. Smart pups!

I, too, have been confronted about getting shaved but my human is adamant that my double-coat of fur stays! Yes, I do get very hot but it would be worse without my fur. I don't understand why humans can't see that. Do they think bald heads are better in the hot sun? Silly humans!

Stay cool and enjoy the cool breezes of night!

Suka

bichonpawz said...

Neither of us do well in the heat either...and mama doesn't like it!! It has been pretty warm here for NY this time of year!! It was almost 90 the other day...unheard of!! We have the A/C and the fans running. Keep drinking lots of water and lying on the nice cool tile! xoxo Chloe and LadyBug

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We too are working our way up the heat scale. Not too bad here yet, but we all know it is coming. That's when we make early morning and late night walktimes and spend the day on the cool air vents.

Shaving us is ridiculous. There is a Siberian in our area who is shaved, all but his tail - poor guy must be just mortified AND very hot. Sunburn would be the worst.

Happy cooling.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

Random Felines said...

we agree that mother nature seems particularly hormonal this spring. :) Stay cool....and fuzzy (geez - nekkid WDA just isn't right). mom loved the idea of adding a white kitten brigade to the WDA!

Brian's Home Blog said...

WD Cool is much better than WD hot!

Remington said...

I enjoy the cool much better than heat! Stay cool, my friends!

Kari in Alaska said...

Summer arrived in full force to LV last week and doesn't look like its going to back down any time soon

Stop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Stay cool my woofie friends, stay cool.. It decided to get hot here yesterday and today too, quite unexpected as its been really cold.. Mum came down with a cold and on early shift resulting in a hot sweaty night. Hope you all find lovely cool spots to nap in. Hugs GJ xx

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Howdy Everybuddy, wowza it sounds hot. If you live near the desert do you get cooler nights usually? Keep cool friends. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory
P.S. Our winter is nearly upon us and we have had cold and wet weather for the last few days. Rory does not like it at all!