Monday, November 14, 2011

Importance of Life Vests on Pets

By Faye O. Norman


Water spaniels have been in our household as far as I can remember. They swim alongside with us or come along with us on the boat or our tiny fishing boat. These dogs of ours are bona fide swimmers. Our residence is on the lake, and it is not too far away because you can get there on foot. Usually when the weather is hot, which occurs mostly during July and August, we bring the dogs to the lake for a swim. Aside from the pleasure that we get from it, we are able to keep our bodies fit while doing it under the heat of the day. As a young boy, my son loved to ride on the raft and paddle his way in the lake. What's interesting is that Poppy, our blond Lab, also wants to ride along with him. The entire time they were under the sun enjoying themselves, she was the one keeping an eye on him.

We had a very fine boat during that time. It can accommodate six persons. The boat nearly became our permanent residence. A tiny motor-boat anchoring besides ours in the first hours of the morning, making us get up, was an everyday experience for us.It would be my parents and the best part is they had packed breakfast. My mom would fill the biscuits with ham or bacon, eggs and cheese and that's what we eat. It's so delicious! Together with my family, taking pleasure in eating a delectable meal on the boat as the sun starts to rise, what more could I ask for?

There was this very miniscule dog that my parents had. She wasn't a swimmer therefore my parents made her wear a life vest at all times.She didn't like the water much, but like all dogs enjoyed outings with the family. It is also imperative that dogs in the family should wear a life vest as what we humans do.

If you take your dog along on your boating trips, make sure she/he wears a life vest and that it fits securely to prevent slipping and coming out of it, and has gotten accustomed to it. Your dog might feel awkward if the buckles and straps are not correctly positioned, so check on it. If it calls for pulling your pup out of the water, life vests provide lifting grips as a support. Use life vests with intense colors so that your dog can simply be detected.The weight should be distributed evenly so the pup will float in a horizontal position.The same advice for the safety and well being of people is the same for your dog. Ensure that there is a shaded location on the boat and ample amount of clean drinking water to keep you hydrated always while under the intense heat of the sun. The floor on the boat can heat up because of the sun, so keep their feet covered. If necessary, bring your dog to shore to ease itself. Only a few dogs like to go on boat trips. Queasiness in people can also occur in dogs.

Its obvious that your dog has limitations if he/she is of old age or is awfully young. Your dog can be in a much worse predicament if he/she continues to be out in the heat, wind and water. Your dog should never be attached to the boat. If the worst happens and the boat sinks, your favorite pet will drown too.

Along with these suggestions and tips, there is no substitute for common sense. Everyone including children wear life vests, it's important that your pet wears one as well.




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