The days are warmer, the nights are longer – even our calendars tell us that spring has officially arrived! And, with record temperatures popping up all over the country we thought that we would get a head start on dreaming of the Dog Days of Summer.

Although you may currently be suffering from a case of “spring fever,” it is likely that your pet wants to get outdoors as much as you. Taking a moment to plan a few fun activities that you can both revel in will make this spring and summer even more enjoyable.

Are you heading to the beach? Taking along your dog means that you will both be able to relish the sun, surf, and sand. It isn’t always easy to know which beaches are pet-friendly or which restrictions may be in place, so contact puppy travel at 1-877-261-3555 and let us do the research for you!

Even as you are planning your getaway, there are many things you can do closer to home that will help you take advantage of the season. Some activities can be shared with other people and pets while others might become personal favorite pastimes.

Take a class. Many courses are available that will help you improve your dog’s training or teach her a new skill. Look for classes sponsored by local organizations, pet stores, or veterinarians.

Play a game. Old favorites like a game of Frisbee can be joined by new games of hide and seek or the guessing game. Hide a favorite toy in the garden and let your pet search for it. Or, place some treats under a mug and lift the mug only when your dog touches it with her paw. Increase the difficulty of the games by hiding the toys in harder-to-find areas and adding more containers that do not have treats placed under them.

Support your local charity. Get involved in the next pet adoption event. Help organize a sponsored walk that can raise money while providing exercise and fun for pets and their owners.

Throw a pet party. You don’t have to wait until his birthday; warmer weather provides the perfect time to plan an outdoor get-together for your pooch and his pals. A long walk or some games in the park make for the perfect canine party.

Teach your dog a new trick. Since you have mastered the basics, now is the time to try something new! Break the trick down into small steps, teaching your dog the end of the trick first and then going backwards. Remember to reward your dog after each stage and keep the sessions short to avoid boredom.

Cool down with water. Get the splash pool out and let him play in the water on a sunny afternoon. You can even give your dog an outdoor bath since the warm weather will help his coat dry more quickly.

Take a walk on the road less traveled. All dogs (and their owners) should receive some form of exercise on a daily basis. Like humans, dogs can become bored if they have no variation in their routine. Look for alternative routes that will make things more interesting.

Enjoy a picnic. Make your visit to the beach or your walk in the woods even more enjoyable by feasting on a delicious picnic. Pack a sandwich for you and some raw vegetables and special doggie treats for your canine companion.

We also want to remind you that the warm weather also brings potential hazards. Take care to make sure that you and your pet always have enough water. Never leave your pet in the car – even with the windows rolled down. Leash your pet when you are outdoors and bring him in on long, hot days. Keep an eye on the weather to avoid overexertion, sunburn, and heatstroke. And, as always, watch for hidden dangers in the garden in the form of chemicals and plants.

A little planning will go a long way in making this a season to remember. Enjoy!

As war rages across the globe, our thoughts are with the soldiers, their families, and those directly affected by the war. No matter what their political persuasion, most individuals would agree that it is important to honor those who die while fighting in behalf of their country. That is the idea behind many memorials throughout the world that pay homage to animals that serve along with their human counterparts.

Animals have historically played an important role in war, and this conflict is no different. Ancient warriors including Hannibal of Carthage, Alexander the Great, and the Greek king Pyrrhus used elephants to conquer their enemies. Emperor Akbar of India in the sixteenth century even bound the trunks of his elephants in order to straighten them so that poisoned daggers could be attached to the ends and used in battle.

Dogs were used in fighting by the ancient empires of Rome and Gaul, as well as by the Spanish Conquistadors in the fifteenth century, who covered them with quilted overcoats and sent them into battle. Christopher Columbus used dogs to inspire fear in the Native Americans. Dogs served in both WWI and WWII by acting as scouts, relaying messages, and rescuing injured soldiers. 4000 dogs served in Vietnam. More recently, dogs have been used to search for victims of September 11 and are currently sniffing out bombs in Iraq.

Some animals do not fight, but instead provide support and intelligence to the troops. Cats lived in the trenches of WWI and killed the mice that lived there. Canaries were used to detect bad air and poisonous gas during WWII. In nineteenth-century Europe, messenger pigeons were sent out two at a time in order to avoid interception of a message by the falcons that had been trained to attack them. Carrier pigeons took messages between ships at sea during WWI before radiotelephones were invented, and continued to provide valuable information during WWII. Over 300,000 pigeons were utilized throughout both wars.

Many four-legged animals served their masters by carrying ammunition and supplies. In fact, 8 million horses, mules, and donkeys died in WWI.

Throughout the ages, horses have long been considered the most important of war animals, allowing people to travel far from home in order to fight and conquer. Horses have been utilized in the fighting in Afghanistan, as rebels and U.S. troops have pursued the Taliban over the rugged terrain.

Horses have even provided a bit of comfort to victims of war, particularly to children in New York City who were able to open up their feelings and memories after a horse riding experience in the countryside thanks to the Project Liberty organization. Experts watched as children rode the horses and then began to speak to them as they were grooming them. For many, this was the first time that they had opened up about their traumatic experiences, knowing that their new four-legged friend would understand and keep their secret.

Less traditional animals such as dolphins and sea lions are now in training for use in the Persian Gulf. Whether it be searching for mines or learning how to attack dangerous divers intent upon causing underwater destruction, these animals represent the new animals of war.

The amazing service provided by animals of war has not gone unnoticed. A National War Dog Memorial for Washington has been proposed by the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association. The Animals in War Memorial Fund in Great Britain has raised money that will be used to build a memorial in 2004 – the 90th anniversary of the First World War. These memorials, and many others, demonstrate the importance of remembering all those who serve, whether man or beast.