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| Walking along Central Park West. Photo: Jeffrey Hirsch. |
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| Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Rainy days, off and on. New York hasn’t had the rain that was predicted. In fact it’s been mostly dry with occasionally moments of rain. Evidently it’s been much heavier around us, just as it was snow-wise last winter. But most of the precipitation seems to scatter away when it gets to these parts. It is very warm though. The holiday weekend has already begun. My cabbie told me yesterday afternoon that the town was already beginning to empty out. Historically these next two weeks are when many Americans take their summer holiday. |
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| Dog Days. The other day down at the Animal Medical Center on East 62nd Street and the East River, a phalanx of NYPD police dogs formed an “honor guard” while New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly was on hand to celebrate NYPD Transit K9 “Bear,” a six-year-old German shepherd who had been injured the week before in the line of duty. “Bear” was aiding his handler Police OfficerVincent Tieniber in subduing and arresting a suspect. Transit K9 Bear had been treated at The Animal Medical Center immediately following the incident and then released. He returned a week later for an evaluation by the dentistry team. |
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| And while we’re on the subject of our beloved canines (and don’t forget our felines), you too, can be a hero for your K9 by following these Dog Tips For Hot Summers.
These rules are very important to your dog’s well-being and health. Many of us take for granted our dogs’ health in this weather. Hot weather can be as dangerous for these best friends of ours as they can be for an infant or an elderly person in poor health. In other words, the heatcan kill them. I witness these dangerous moments fairly often on the street and in the park where joggers and people on their bicycles often “run” their dogs on these very hot days. These pet owners are obviously working up a sweat getting their exercise. Good for them maybe but HORRIBLE for the dog. In fact it’s seriously endangering the dog’s life to the point of death. It’s not always easy to convey that message to those blithely running their animal while casually cycling along with the breeze. My experience in reminding owners of such dangers when they are in the process has not been positive. People flip me the finger, or yell that they can “do whatever the fuck I please ....” Or even stop, get off the bike and threaten to slug me. Gratitude is not in vocabulary. And Grace is the name of their first grade teacher.
1. Liquid Assets. Prevent dangerous dehydrationby keeping fresh water accessible for your pets at home and when you go out. Add some ice cubes if it's super-steamy. 2. Car Sick. Never leave animals alone in your car, even for a quick errand. In hot weather the temperature inside a closed vehicle can rise to 120 degrees within minutes. Opening a window can prove risky as well. Remember, dogs can be amazing escape artists. We also advise against tying your pooch to a pole outside while you run into Starbucks for a Frappuccino. He can easily and quickly be swiped, and used for kill in dog fights. Beware naivete. If pets aren't allowed where you're going, it's better to leave them at home. 3. Time Out. If you let your dog roam unsupervised in a fenced yard, keep track of time. Make sure she's out alone for only a short time, preferably in the early morning or evening. If you don't have shady trees, prop up a beach umbrella so there's a cooling-off spot for Fido. Also, place a bowl of water outside.
Be sure to take water breaks and take it easy when it's particularly hot, especially when you're riding a bicycle and your dog is running alongside and cannot easily stop when he tires. The best times to exercise for both you and your furry partner are early morning or late afternoon when the sun is less intense. Before your first pavement pounding of the season, visit the vet. Remember, animals age quicker than humans, so Spot's former abilities may have changed since last year. 5. Street Scene. Monitor your dog's feet and avoid searing hot pavement or sand. Be cautious of broken glass that doesn't affect your shoed feet, but can hurt soft paws. 6. Head In. While it's cute to see your dog's ears flapping in the wind as he breathes in the rushing air from your car window, it's not a safe practice. Keep all ears, noses, paws, and any other body parts in the car when you're driving. Stray objects, as well as dirt, could injure your pet and its eyes. 7. Stop the Itch. You've seen the ads: Cats and dogs scratching up a storm. Now, take the advice. No matter which product you prefer, make sure your pet is protected from fleas, ticks, and Lyme disease. 8. Worm Warning. Spread by mosquitoes, heartworm can be deadly. It's most prevalent in the Midwest and Southeast, but occurs throughout the United States. Chat with your vet about the best prevention for your dog and visit HeartWormSociety.org for more information.
10. Lost or Found. Finally, keep tabs on your loved ones. While you're soaking up the sun on your lawn or tending your garden, you might not notice if your dog or cat sneaks away from the homestead. Make sure they always have identification tags or a microchip. From BluePearl Veterinary Partners, we received this additional important and helpful information in caring for your pets on these very hot days. This is good to teach your children also. Teaching them to care for their animals will assist them in learning to care for their loved ones (including you): The doctors and staff from BluePearl Veterinary Partners recommend: With all of the celebration, sweet savory barbecued dishes, open flames and fireworks, paying attention to detail is important to prevent pet injury. Prevention is always the best form of first aid. However, in the event of a burn or injury to your furry friend, here are some first aid tips you need to know: Never put any types of cream, ointment, butter or margarine on a pet’s burn. These can introduce bacteria and other harmful substances into the burned area. If the burn is mild, cool the area as soon as possible with cool water and contact your veterinarian. Never use ice as ice increases the chance of hypothermia. For more severe burns, cover the wound with a clean, sterile cloth. Most importantly get the pet to your family vet or nearest emergency veterinary hospital as soon as possible. In addition to the burn itself, injured animals may not behave as usual due to pain, fear or shock. Besides burn injuries, veterinarians usually see an uptick in emergencies related to vomiting, diarrhea and heat exhaustion during the holiday.
If your pet does become overheated, spray the animal down with room temperature or cool water, but never ice water. Ice cold water causes a decrease in blood flow to the skin and heat can’t escape the body, which makes heat exhaustion symptoms worse. Besides physical injuries, pets may have an increase in anxiety and stress due to fireworksand visits by a house full of guests that may not usually be around. This is important to remember as your pets may not behave as they usually do. If your pets frighten easily, make sure they can’t run away, as loud noises from fireworks could frighten them. Also, if your pets are frightened due to this unusual activity, try playing a game during this time to distract them or place them in a secure area like a kennel where they can feel safe. Placing a blanket over the kennel can decrease their anxiety. If you know your pet experiences anxiety in thunderstorms and while fireworks are going off, contact your veterinarian to see about potential medicated solutions. Furthermore, with the Fourth of July usually comes a feast of flavorful foods, but remember the same things you enjoy could harm or even kill your pet. Alcohol, avocado, caffeine, chives, chocolate, coffee, garlic, grapes, macadamia nuts, onions and raisins, can all have a negative effect on your pet. If your pet has ingested any of these items and is displaying signs of gastrointestinal upset, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. Most importantly, when you are in doubt about your pet’s safety, you should contact your family If it is an after-hours emergency and your usual vet is closed, BluePearl’s trained specialists and emergency personnel would be happy to help at any one of their emergency locations.
Everyone met at Pier 17 at 5:30 in the evening to board a New York Water Taxi owned by the Durst Organization. The destination: to survey the Brooklyn Waterfront from a new vantage point. Hosted by Barbara and Donald Tober, the groups included Lewis Lapham, Tom McGrath, Daniel Billy, Nora and Jack Kerr, Sandy and Stan Warshawsky, Sally Minard and Norton Garfinkle and their grandson Sam Garfinkle, Mindy Papp and Clark Halstead, Marla Sabo, Justin Abelow, Walter Deane, Bruce Knecht, Charlotte Trifus and Lloyd Zuckerberg and their daughter Hannah Zuckerberg. Seeing the area from the water brought a new perspective for everyone. The guests were treated to close views of the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center (a foray into the Hudson River), and also so many historic sites -- such as Buttermilk Channel, Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village. |
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| Raindrops had been pelting down just before everyone was on board, but miraculously, the Sun came out along with sunglasses, and everyone had a terrific time taking photographs of the shoreline. Barbara Tober told me that the camaraderie and appreciation for the city we live in gave everyone a increased sense of “why they spend so many hours involved in the Landmarks Conservancy, and why New York City is so well worth conserving.”
I’m one of those characters who doesn’t mind the rain. In fact I often like it. For me it’s fodder for my imagination and sensibilities. I love the green after the rain and the smells of the city after it’s been washed down. Everyone benefits. It also cools us off. Sometimes. I plan to stay put. I can imagine the pleasure people will have out in the Hamptons, no matter the weather since it means Summer is Here. It is good; it offers the excitement of the new, and the Sun still kisses, and the salt of the ocean is in the air. However, imagining it is enough for me. Part of that is the rigors of the NYSD. It owns us over here, me and JH. It’s like an infant that never grows up. It always needs attention, care, nurturing, massaging, prodding and exquisite flights of fancy. We should be so lucky. Not an easy task being a parent, is it? However what we get in return is the Grace of Learning. Here in town on a long holiday weekend is like an excellent vacation. I tell myself I have time to think, and to read, and to contemplate what Francis Scott Key called “the twilight’s last gleaming,” its “broad stripes and bright stars” too. There are big fireworks over the rivers on the night of the Fourth. And off in Central Park. I might or might not see them. I’ll remember all the Fourths that came before — especially those when I was a kid — deeply inculcated with the greatness and the heroism of those who “fought” but also stood up for it. It still feels fresh, that feeling; as it returns to mind — fresh like the grass and the trees after the newly fallen, hard-fallen summer rain. It’s God’s blessing, available to grace. |
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Contact DPC here. |