Xmas is a month away now. So have you made arrangements for your dog to be looked after during your holiday? Dog boarding kennels get very busy this time of the year and they get booked well ahead of time. If you haven't got a family member who can look after your dog during the holiday there's always the option of contracting the services of a pet sitter. If you do decide on a pet sitter make sure: person has public liability insurance, is police checked, do check references, meet person ahead of time so you know what she/ he is like and it gives you enough time to organise all the details. If you are away at New Years eve make sure your dog is safely confined during fireworks night. Many dogs get so scared with fireworks they can even jump fences. Preferably have someone to stay with them that night and keep them indoors. And don't forget: if you dog hasn't been microchipped please do it asap and put an ID on its collar as well. Its wise and if your dog ever gets out whoever finds him/her will have how to contact dog's owner.  Have a safe Xmas.

During summer try to exercise your dog during the coolest part of the day- early morning is the best or at dusk. Sprinkle some water on you dog after the walk so he cools down. Have 2 or 3 water bowls spread around the backyard so if sun rotates at least 1 of them is in a shady spot. You can put few ice cubes or an ice block inside your dog water bowl before you leave to work. They love it if on a hot day you put a filled kong in the freezer and you leave it out for them so they'll be busy licking it away and it'll be very refreshing for them, like an icy pole. In very intense heat - 36 C  check if possible to leave your dog indoors in  a cool area or to have someone to come to check him for you middle of the day and to cool him down.

Beach off leash areas summer regulations are now on. It started from 1 November. Please check you local Council website for permitted times and hours. Fines are expensive and council beach inspectors do patrol the beaches in summer in motorbikes.  Have a happy summer!