A North Texas August is its own thing. When it is 104 degrees by mid-afternoon, a normal boarding day does not just carry on as usual — it gets rebuilt around the heat. Here is what actually changes.
Yard time moves to the ends of the day
The big play sessions happen early morning and after the sun drops. Through the worst of the afternoon the dogs are inside in the air conditioning, usually asleep, because that is what they would choose anyway. They still get out during the day, just in short trips rather than long sessions.
Water in more places than seems necessary
Bowls inside, bowls in the shade outside, refilled through the day rather than topped up once. Dogs drink more when water is nearby and cool, and a dog that has been running will often not walk across a hot yard to find a drink.
We check the pavement with a hand
Five seconds, palm flat on the concrete. If we cannot hold it there comfortably, neither can a dog's paws, and the walk waits. Concrete and asphalt hold heat well after the air has started cooling off in the evening.
Some dogs get watched more closely
Flat-faced breeds — bulldogs, pugs, boxers — cool themselves far less efficiently, and so do senior dogs, very young puppies, overweight dogs and dark-coated dogs in direct sun. If your dog is in one of those groups, we keep their outdoor stretches shorter and check on them more often. We would rather be boring about it.
What helps us
Tell us at the meet-and-greet if your dog has struggled in heat before, tires quickly, or is on medication that affects how they handle it. That single sentence changes how we plan their day.
Planning a summer stay? Get in touch and we will set up a meet-and-greet.