Editorial: May 9, 2025

As spring arrives and outdoor dog shows are in abundance, it’s time to remind everyone about the unpredictable weather that has become the norm. Temperatures vary from day to day. The last several years have brought weather patterns that are unpredictable, with storms that are stronger and last longer than in years gone by. Extreme weather conditions are now the norm, which adds to the dangers of prolonged heatwaves and storms. Last weekend the very well-attended and pleasant Bucks County and Trenton kennel club shows experienced a typical outdoor event: It started off rainy and stormy, preceded by hot, sunny and humid weather. Sadly, in the past these pages have reported the tragic loss of dogs, some of which had been avoidable. These days, even April brings exceptionally high temperatures. So as summer approaches, sudden, unexpected rises in temperature aren't unusual. It seems every year, some tragic accident results in the death of a dog or multiple dogs. It is never intentional, and it is a burden we carry with us, as the cause is usually avoidable. Please don't let these past tragedies become part of your history. Constantly check your trucks and motorhomes during the hot summer days. For those traveling with vans and automobiles, make sure there is ample circulation and shade on those vehicles. Make sure your dogs have water and ice available. It doesn't take long for those vehicles and crates to get overheated, and the result can be deadly. Vehicles are just machines, and the best of them can and do break down. With these back-to-back long dog-show weekends that extend to three, four and five days, these vehicles are overworked and should be serviced regularly. We don't want to preach, but we just want to remind you of the dangers that the summer heat brings to our doorstep. Let’s try to make this a year in which no dog is lost because of the heat or malfunctioning air conditioning in the many motorhomes and trucks that are used in today’s dog-show world. Enjoy the summer, and safe travels. Let’s enjoy, without remorse, this summertime.