Dogs make many things go better. Not all, however. You have to survive their first (x) years of puppyhood. I think--am sure, actually--that we have had our last dog. I am not content with that but it is the season to refrain from having a dog.
Get an adult dog to avoid the puppyhood ordeal. I have a 10-year-old dog from a rescue shelter who has been a great companion. He was house trained when I adopted him and has been well-behaved. We have been together for about 2 years. Sadly, people give up older dogs when circumstances change. Older dogs deserve a chance to live a full life.
I was born in Seattle where folks complain about the heat when the temperature exceeds 80 degrees. Before moving to Blacksburg, I lived in Newport News without the luxury of a house air conditioning system with nighttime temperatures that can remain above 85 degrees. Now, in Blacksburg with home air conditioning, I stay indoors during the day on hot days and take the dog for walks in the early morning and late evening, beautiful times of the day when the temperatures get high. Memories of Newport News bring thankful thoughts for living in cooler mountains. Thanks to Fred for sharing his experiences with summer temperatures.
Fred, very nice essay, which expresses my sentiments exactly. I don't know about naming July as a least favorite month though; August can be even worse.
I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who doesn't like summer and its high temperatures all that much! This time of year is my **least** favorite season. It seems like most people really love summer, but I just we're just contrarians about this. Alas, we may be entering a time of "endless summer." I'm so glad we live at a relatively higher elevation; Floyd County seems to be at least 6-8 degrees cooler in the summer than either the Roanoke Valley or the Piedmont.
After hearing this npr program on dogs:
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/02/1191671789/weekly-dose-of-wonder-spending-time-with-a-dog-can-be-good-for-your-health
I was reminded of this post by Fred on mental health. A dog could be the answer to healing.
Dogs make many things go better. Not all, however. You have to survive their first (x) years of puppyhood. I think--am sure, actually--that we have had our last dog. I am not content with that but it is the season to refrain from having a dog.
Get an adult dog to avoid the puppyhood ordeal. I have a 10-year-old dog from a rescue shelter who has been a great companion. He was house trained when I adopted him and has been well-behaved. We have been together for about 2 years. Sadly, people give up older dogs when circumstances change. Older dogs deserve a chance to live a full life.
I was born in Seattle where folks complain about the heat when the temperature exceeds 80 degrees. Before moving to Blacksburg, I lived in Newport News without the luxury of a house air conditioning system with nighttime temperatures that can remain above 85 degrees. Now, in Blacksburg with home air conditioning, I stay indoors during the day on hot days and take the dog for walks in the early morning and late evening, beautiful times of the day when the temperatures get high. Memories of Newport News bring thankful thoughts for living in cooler mountains. Thanks to Fred for sharing his experiences with summer temperatures.
I am not happy with temperatures above 75° either!
Fred, very nice essay, which expresses my sentiments exactly. I don't know about naming July as a least favorite month though; August can be even worse.
I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who doesn't like summer and its high temperatures all that much! This time of year is my **least** favorite season. It seems like most people really love summer, but I just we're just contrarians about this. Alas, we may be entering a time of "endless summer." I'm so glad we live at a relatively higher elevation; Floyd County seems to be at least 6-8 degrees cooler in the summer than either the Roanoke Valley or the Piedmont.
Like you, I'm totally ready for autumn.