Finally, it’s spring, and it’s time to remind pet owners to stop taking their pets when they run errands. I’ve already had a discussion with one family this weekend regarding their dog being left in the car. We all know the excuses: The windows are open (in this case half to 1 inch), we weren’t gone very long and the temperature isn’t that hot outside. When I suggested to them that they sit in the car with the windows at their present level, no one wanted to try it. Why do you think they wouldn’t do it? This problem is not a joke! Pets are getting heat stroke and dying in their owners’ cars because their owners don’t take the time to learn the facts, they think a few minutes won’t matter or they simply don’t care. Think about the times you’ve gone into a store and said, I’ll be back in five minutes, and then 20 minutes later you’re still not back. Again, this is the beginning of the season to leave your pets at home when you’re out doing errands. Just because it doesn’t feel like it’s hot to you standing outside the car, imagine sitting in that car that is sitting in the sun and the windows are cracked open maybe an inch, if you’re lucky.

Pet owners, who don’t believe this should go out and try an experiment. Take your car out and park it in the parking lot of any store you normally go to. Don’t make it the shady side if that’s not the side you would normally park on. And make it on a day you would normally bring your pet along. Now, open the windows the half inch or inch that you would leave your pet if you brought them with you, and then turn your car off and relax. Oh, no water is allowed either. The temperature will rise in the car and keep rising the longer you sit there. Depending on the temperature outside, it won’t take long to get over 100 on the inside. If you consider your pet a part of your family, leave them home. If you insist on taking them along, be prepared to leave your car running with the air conditioner on. I’m getting so sick of seeing pets left in cars that I’m ready to go to jail for vandalism for taking a brick and breaking a car window to get that animal out. This would at least allow me the opportunity to let everyone know the pet owner’s name who leaves their pet in their car. Pets don’t deserve to be treated like this, but then again, neither do children who get forgotten in a car. Hopefully the circumstances would be different on why the child was left there, but same thing, it’s hot, the windows may or may not be left open, and the child dies if left there too long. Please, think about that the next time you take your pet out.

Kathy Diaz

Albert Lea