Crafty Ways for You and Your Dog to Beat the Heat
It's really hot out there in many areas, and the humidity is also taking a toll. If you hate the heat as much as me, then you are probably looking for some fun indoor activities for your free time. Plus, you can't really let your dog play outside for too long when it's hot. Now is the time to think of some indoor projects for you and your family. Also -- your dog will appreciate your company!
As a dog lover, you may be interested in some projects that celebrate dogs. Some of the other guides on other About.com have just the thing! Consider rubber stamps for dog lovers, from the Rubber Stamping Guide. It's fun, easy, and great for kids! For a nice relaxing personal project, why not try these dog cross-stitch patterns from the Cross-Stitch guide. For other fun projects, check out some dog craft projects from the guide to Family Crafts. Art, dogs and air-conditioning: the perfect combination for a hot summer day!
Comments
There are numerous knitting (and maybe crocheting) projects like dog sweaters and plush dog toys that make up pretty quickly. I think I have some dog sweater patterns but if not, I know where to get them. Maybe Sarah White, the about knitting guide, can provide some. It’s too hot for dogs to need them in the summer but it’s not too late to begin for the fall and winter. In addition, I imagine there are other crafters out there who probably have ideas for other dog clothing, human clothing with one’s favorite dog breed(s) in silk screen or embroidery, and maybe Tammy or Paula have jewelry and/or beading patterns; like I think a dog keychain is cute or maybe a dog pin with your dog’s name or, similarly,a zipper pull. I wonder if the wood working guide has a plan up his sleeve that would work for a leash rack which could also be used as a doggie coat/clothing rack. Then, for those who are into making ceramics or sculpture, dog possibilities abound. I wonder about dog soap and candle ideas. Do they have such molds? Just sparked my creative interest. Nice idea assembling indoor craft activities. It’s hot where I am in Texas too. (sigh) Anybody want to add/exchange dog recipes? There are some for dog popsicles etc. that would be cool on a summer day if your dog likes ice cream. Some stores carry a kind of dogs only ice cream called “frosty paws”. I used to get them for my dogs. They come in boxes of four and look a little like those jell-o cups. The ones I used to get were beef flavored and they come four in a box. You just open the cup, turn it upside down in your dog’s bowl, then squeeze the cup till the frozen delight pops out. My current dog isn’t into it; she doesn’t like ice cubes much like my previous dog did. But some dogs might like it. I think I have some recipes for similar kinds of treats where you wouldn’t have to worry about nasty preservatives or other potentially dangerous ingredients. When I fed my dog “Frosty Paws” I wasn’t as educated as I was now about being careful to check labels on any commercial dog product I buy. Some dogs don’t like to eat anything reminiscent of ice. Older dogs particularly may have teeth sensitivity issues which would make anything icy taste unpleasant because of the pain. But some dogs love things like that. Jenna, great ideas. Keep up the good work. I know it’s slow going at first to build up a reader/writer base, particularly when Krista, who had been the guide for so many years and who had shared so much of her vibrant personality and talent for communicating all kinds of things, humorous when appropriate, serious when necessary and who, though not a professional vet or vet tech, was still a great dog lover and contributed valuable information. But you have begun to do so as well so I hope people keep reading and commenting both here and in the dog park forum which, I confess, I haven’t visited recently; I’ve had so much going on that I don’t have as much time for computer socializing as I’ve had. I think a lot of people are like that. Summer is a time for vacations and outdoor activities and I know some people who do a lot more recreational computer time during the cold winters when the wind is howling outside and the snow is falling fast and drifting faster. My mother, who used to llive on top of a small (but official) mountain called Bald Mountain, couldn’t ever get out of her driveway or down the hill when there was a big storm. She’d have to stock up on several days worth of supplies when the weather forecast called for a blizzard. Our dogs stayed mostly indoors in winter but loved playing in the snow. I don’t know if my current dog, Ginger, has ever seen snow. I adopted her from our local humane society last September and know little of her background though, since she loves swimming and will make the most out of rolling in (and sometimes drinking from, though I really wish she wouldn’t) any little puddle. It’s pretty dry here so we’re careful not to take her to the creek if it hasn’t rained in awhile. Sometimes we do take her to a park where the water is spring fed. There’s a public beach and the water is wonderfully cold, reminiscent of the cold northern New England spring fed lakes and rivers where I swam as a child. Then there’s the not public but unofficial dog beach/park where dogs are not interfered with as they swim and play in the water. My dog is amazing. She doesn’t like to go out when the ground is wet but she loves to swim. Go figure. She doesn’t mind the heat though I never take her on sidewalks in the middle of the day if I can help it because they’re so hot! She’s not wild about wearing those dog booties either. But when the sun goes down she doesn’t mind it if it’s still in the nineties. She’ll run around as if it were in the forties. She’s about eight or nine but hasn’t run out of energy yet. I just hope I can keep her healthy and she doesn’t develop any of the diseases like cdiabetes and cancer which seem to be so alarmingly on the rise these days.
Hope other people will post their dog stories of activities dog-related and maybe exchange craft ideas or recipes. Have a great day!
Laura
I play “hide and seek treats” with my dogs on hot days. I take treats and hide them in various places in a room and they have to find them all (make sure you remember how many and where you hid the treats; you don’t want to have bugs in the house later). This is something fun to do indoors with your dog; plus it facilitates their “hunting” skills.
We have been thinking about getting a Doberman. Thanks for the tips