Dog Days

In really hot temperatures, it's not uncommon for dogs to absorb more heat than they can release. They don't sweat like us...

...and when they get too hot, their bodies can't function and heat stroke sets in. If a dog is confined in a hot space, or has played too much without cooling down, they're at risk, and it can be deadly. Here are some of the symptoms to watch for:

Rapid, excessive panting

Sudden restlessness

Excessive drooling or foaming

Lack of coordination or confusion

Bright red tongue or pale gums

If you suspect heat stroke in your dog, contact the vet immediately. At the same time, begin cooling the dog by spraying with or immersing in cool water. Avoid using ice or ice water, that can actually interfere with the cooling process.

Source:  Martin Goldstein, author of "The Nature of Animal Healing"

Word Of The Day

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a lot of work, but we found a few tricks that don't take much effort at all, and can actually extend the length and quality of your life:

Learn a word a day. Just pick one out of the dictionary, or have one emailed to you. But really learn it, and test yourself on it. People who do this have better memory and cognitive functions as they age.

Talk to strangers, or reconnect with someone you've lost touch with. Emotional connections can add years to your life, and even brief interactions help reduce disease-causing stress hormones.

Watch the birds, or a sunset, or another natural wonder for a few minutes each day. Contact with the natural world has real healing power and can actually boost our performance in other areas.