This Dog Almost Died Today – and His Owner Had No Idea!
Today shook me to my core.
I was in NYC visiting my daughter. It was hot – the kind of oppressive summer heat that sits on your shoulders and doesn’t let go. The temperature read 89 degrees with no breeze, just blue skies and beating sun.
We were at the PRIDE parade, surrounded by thousands of people celebrating life and love. But as a veterinarian, my eyes quickly shifted to something that made my stomach drop.
Dogs. So many dogs. Panting, anxious, walking on the scorching pavement with no shade, no water, and owners who didn’t seem to realize the danger.
Then I saw him. A French bulldog, his tongue hanging out curled at the tip, eyes bloodshot, walking with that slow, stumbling gait that sets off every alarm bell in my brain. This little dog was on the verge of heat stroke. I couldn’t hold back.
“Sir,” I said, “I’m a veterinarian. Your dog is overheating – he’s going to get heat stroke. You need to get him into air conditioning ASAP.”
He looked at me like I had three heads. “He’s fine,” he said, “we’re walking in the shade.”
My heart sank. One last try. “Sir, your dog could need the ER soon, and it will cost thousands of dollars – and he still might die.”
He just walked away, pulling his little dog along.
I felt so upset, helpless, and honestly – angry. Angry that people don’t understand how quickly heat kills dogs. They’re not like us. They can’t sweat all over their bodies like we do. Their only options to cool down are panting and a tiny bit of sweating through their paw pads. Imagine wearing a fur coat with no ability to take it off, no control over the situation, and your life depends on someone who doesn’t realize you’re dying.
That’s what summer heat is for dogs.
Especially for flat-faced breeds like bulldogs, Frenchies, pugs, and Bostons. Their airways are already compromised, making them walking time bombs in the heat.
I’ve seen too many dogs come into the hospital with body temperatures over 109°F – the highest our thermometers read. At that point, they’re literally cooking from the inside out. No amount of money, no amount of love, and no veterinary skill can save them once that happens.
Please, I beg you:
✅ Walk your dog early in the morning or late at night when temps are below 85°F
✅ If you can’t walk barefoot on the pavement, neither should your dog
✅ Keep walks for brachycephalic breeds under 10 minutes if it’s over 80°F
✅ Never take your dog to events if they don’t have constant access to shade and water
✅ If your dog is obese, keep walks under 5 minutes when it’s over 80°F
If your dog is overheating:
Get them into AC immediately
Dip them in cool water
Give them cold water with ice cubes
Spray alcohol on their paw pads to help cool them
Take their temperature – if it’s 105°F or higher, seek emergency care NOW
Dogs can’t tell you they’re overheating. They love you and will do what you ask, even if it kills them.
This is my plea to you as a veterinarian who has seen the heartbreak and preventable deaths of beloved pets: Be thoughtful. Be aware. Don’t let your dog become another tragic summer story.
