Abuela Finally Sat Down With Her Lemonade. Chispa Had Been Waiting All Morning.
After a long morning in the garden, the porch is where the work stops. Abuela Rosa takes a slow sip from a tall glass of lemonade, ice cubes and lemon slices floating at the top, her glasses fogging just a little from the cold. Her apron is rumpled from a busy day and her gray hair is pulled up in a quick bun. Behind her, the pale blue siding frames a jumble of gardening life: a wicker basket stuffed with gloves and trowels, muddy work boots, a rake leaning by the door and a water bottle waiting for later. At her feet, Chispa sits with her scruffy coat and tilted ears, gazing out at the yard as if keeping watch.
Hot days call for extra care with dogs, especially energetic breeds that do not always know when to stop. Make sure fresh, cool water is always available, offer shade, and save walks and play for cooler morning or evening hours. Pavement can get hot enough to hurt paw pads, so a quick test with the back of your hand helps. Signs that a dog may be overheating include heavy panting, drooling, weakness or unusual sluggishness. Lemonade is a treat for people only, since citrus and sugar are not good choices for dogs. A bowl of fresh water or a frozen dog-safe treat is a much better way for a pup to cool off.
Rosa has her lemonade, Chispa has her shady spot and the garden can wait until the sun drops a little lower.
