Hot Summers With Vizslas

Well we're in the middle of summer and it is HOT!  It's normal having 95 degree weather with high humidity every day.  Yes, yes Vizslas are supposed to be outdoor sporting dogs that should withstand all weather conditions....well Ralphie and Lucy are quite domesticated.  LOL  

They do enjoy the outdoors but for a very limited time.  After a 2-mile walk they are panting, tongue hanging out, and anxious to get back into the air conditioning.  Dog park outings have been limited due to Lucy's unpredictable behavior, but when we go a couple times a week they only last about 40 minutes.  After that they're ready to go home and get in the air conditioning.  I've been taking them to the park super early around 7am before it gets really hot for the day.  It seems like a lot of people have the same idea to get their pups out early.  Always some dogs there at that time.   I also like taking them to go to the dog park after our daily rain storm that we usually get around 5pm.  Most of the time no one is crazy like us to take their pups to the park with the soaking wet grounds.  But Ralphie and Lucy LOVE puddles.  They have a blast romping and splashing in the puddles.  For them it's well worth a bath later. LOL

Lucy has been enjoying the pool almost every day, trying to tease and lure Ralphie in the pool.  Once in awhile I'll manage to get Ralphie in the pool to chase a ball, but doesn't happen often.

I have to really watch Ralphie and Lucy with the bugs, bees, snakes and frogs that we have this time of the year.  We do have poisonous snakes and frogs in FL.  The other day I saw Ralphie and Lucy pouncing on a snake...luckily it wasn't a poisonous one.   I have seen a Diamondback snake in my front yard last year.  Ralphie always makes me aware of a new wasp nest developing...he'll stand there barking and barking at the nest until I spray the wasps and get rid of the nest.  Lucy chasing the bunnies.  For some reason I don't think Ralphie sees the brown bunnies, they must blend into surrounding where his eyes don't see them.

We've been to the beach a couple of times, but again it's been so hot and I rather wait till it cools some before spending long periods on the beach.  They both love the salt water, fetching a stick or ball.

We are definitely have a blast enjoying summer and looking forward to more summertime fun!

Can you believe the size of this puddle at the dog park after one of our storms?!