Casey was one of the friendliest and most energetic and playful dogs we have ever met.  Her human was our athletic friend, Arnold.  They adored each other.  Wherever Arnold went, there was Casey.

They were each other's best friend.

The last time we saw Casey was on the beach on the island of O'ahu in Hawai`i.  She was playfully retrieving a coconut that Arnold had flung into the surf.  A true lab, she loved the water.  

We moved to California for school soon thereafter, and the next time we saw mutual friends, we inquired about Arnold and Casey.  

That's when we found out what happened to Casey:

On vacation, Arnold had flown to the island of Kaua`i with Casey.  It was a hot, sunny day. Both were in peak physical form, and Arnold and Casey took off on a two-mile day hike up and down the ruggedly beautiful terrain to the beach at Hanakapi`ai Valley on the Na Pali Coast.

Before they reached the beach, Casey began to heavily pant. She staggered, then collapsed in a heap, semi-comatose. Dehydrated, she was suffering from heat exhaustion, which rapidly progressed to heat stroke. 

Arnold did his best to cool her down, but the heat of the  day and the humidity worked against them.  Casey closed her eyes and slipped away. Arnold administered CPR, but Casey was not to be revived.

Devastated and in shock, Arnold managed to hike out of the valley with Casey's body in his arms. 

In tears.

What you should know about dog dehydration:

Staying hydrated is just as important for your dog as
it is for you. Perhaps even more so, as their body temperature is higher to begin with, and because they're hiking with a full fur coat, dogs are often quicker to overheat than people. 

Heat exhaustion and stroke can be fatal. It's up to you to bring a supply of clean water (drinking from ponds and streams isn't any better for your dog than it is for you) and to make sure that your dog drinks often. 

Some people teach their dogs to drink from a squirt bottle. Others bring along a collapsible water dish. If you notice your dog running from shady spot to shady spot, panting excessively or becoming red in the gums, stop and cool him down. Gently pouring water on the stomach and groin area is a good technique. 

And don't forget that your dog needs to drink on cold days, too.

How can you tell if your dog is suffering heat-related illness? 

Early signs of trouble include excessive panting and salivation, vomiting, dark red gums, and respiratory distress. 

The longer the body stays at very high temperatures the worse the prognosis becomes. Promptly begin to cool your dog's body.  Begin this emergency procedure before you head for the vet: Spray your dog with COOL water, and place him/her in front of a fan as soon as possible. 

Ice baths are not recommended as the shivering they induce may actually slow down heat loss. Applying alcohol to the dog's feet and belly also helps dissipate heat. 

Call your vet's office ahead of time, so they are prepared to continue the cooling efforts when you get there. Treating heat stroke is very difficult, and many dogs do not survive. 

Prevention is the key: If outside temperatures are above 80 degrees, heat illness is possible. High humidity levels increase the risk. Prudently keep your dog inside during these times if possible, and limit outside activities to the cooler morning and evening hours.

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Click here for lovable dogs awaiting adoption at the 
Bear Mountain Dog Rescue 
in Big Bear Valley.

"Adopt, Don't Shop"  ~ "Spay...Don't Litter"

These pages are dedicated to the memory of Laki 
and the good and kind people at 
Bear Mountain Dog Rescue.

I  Big Bear Lake