Hotdogs are good. Hot Dogs are not!

One of the things I love most about animals is how willing they are to go along with our plans.

Want to take a walk? They're in.

Want to spend the afternoon in the yard? Sounds great.

Want to sit on the porch, work in the garden, go for a car ride, or tag along on an adventure? Most pets are happy just because they're doing it with us.

The problem is that our pets don't always tell us when they're uncomfortable.

Or maybe more accurately, they do tell us...but not in words, and not always in ways we immediately notice.

The extra panting.

The slower pace.

The hesitation before jumping into the car.

Your dog may keep walking long after they're too hot because they don't want to leave your side.

Our pets trust us to notice the things they can't say.

As the weather heats up, it's worth remembering that they experience summer differently than we do. We can grab a cold drink, move into the shade, turn on a fan, or decide we're done being outside for the day. Our pets depend on us to make those decisions for them.

Sometimes that means cutting a walk short. Sometimes it means skipping an outing altogether.

Sometimes it means realizing that the dog who would happily follow you anywhere doesn't actually need another adventure today.

They need a cool place to rest, fresh water, and permission to take it easy.

The funny thing is, most pets won't care. Your dog won't be disappointed because you chose a shorter route. They aren't keeping score.

What they want most has never really changed. They want to feel safe. They want to feel comfortable. And they want to spend time with the people they love.

So if you need a reminder this summer, here it is:

Your pet may not always know when it's time to slow down. That's why they have you.

Pay attention to the little signs. Offer the water break. Choose the shade. Head home a little earlier than planned.

They trust you to know when enough is enough.

And that's one of the most important jobs we have as pet parents.