Protection From The Sun
Long Hot Summer
Here in Queensland, in the great Down Under, we
have just experienced the hottest summer they say since the 1920s. This weekend
we have had 40C one day and 42C (about 105F) the next, which was unbelievably
hot for us and the dogs. We can all tapdance around the problems with aircon and
sprinklers on the dogs etc but once the worst is over and the cooler days
arrive, we are left with dry coats which are often sunburnt.
Some of us have indoor dogs and the rest,
outdoorsy types. For the indoor dogs that are lounge lizards, this is not a
problem but for the sun bunnies, the split, frazzled coats can wipe them right
out of the show ring till next seasons coat. It is often enough in extreme
weather to keep from looking frazzled let alone worry about the dogs coats.
Comfort for us and the dogs is first and foremost.
Nontheless, necessity is usually the mother of
invention and we have started using the new
Plush Puppy Sunshade which is scheduled for release sometime in March. This wonderful spray on
coat protector is enough to repel most of the suns potential for damage and
keep the coat from frying. We were lucky enough to have several bottles from our
trial runs leftover to be able to use them through this trying time.
We keep the bottle above the door of the kennels
and each morning, if needed, we spray each dog along the topline. Just a light
wipe over with your hand to spread it evenly and the dog will be protected. I
recommend spraying at least 2 - 3 times per week and every day if the dog is
swimming in dams etc.
Plush Puppy Sunshade
is also good for dogs that get sunburned skin. Just
apply and wipe thoroughly around the areas that require protection.
This is a nice light product and is not a heavy
greasy affair. It is an intensive sun screen and moisturiser with a good
protective factor. To remove just shampoo as usual. - it is soluble in water.
Now we have the dogs all sunscreened we still
need to keep up the moisturiser to the coat, especially coats that are long and
drape. Revivacoat
is a light foaming aerosol moisturiser that is great for keeping up the
elasticity and moisture content to the coat. Use the
Revivacoat
each day
applying roughly a golfball sized amount to your hands and work through the coat
from mid lengths to ends. This is a leave in moisturiser and can be applied
lavishly if required as it will not leave the coat greasy. Apply the
Sunshade
on the topline and head and any area that gets sunbleached
or is in danger of sun damage. Also leave in and do not rinse out.
This is a good quick routine for those who have
more than one or two dogs or where time is in short supply. Join the club! We
are always racing the clock to get everything done but never want to skimp on
results.
When bath time arrives, then use the
Conditioning Shampoo with
Evening Primrose for maximum moisturising and conditioning. For
coats that you dont want to soften, use the
All Purpose with Henna
Shampoo which will give maximum shine. Either finish with
Silk Protein Conditioner
for even more moisture and condition or for coats that you dont want to
flatten, use the
Seabreeze Oil at a ratio of 1 tablespoon to 1 gallon/4litres warm water
sponged or hydro bathed through and left in. Use all the shampoos and
conditioners at around 3:1 for maximum effect. For lighter results use at 5:1
and for regular maintenance use at the ratio of up to 10:1. (i.e. 10 parts water
to one part product).
Dont know what happens in your part of the woods
but we get these darned nasty stinging flies in summer that chomp on the dogs
ears and make them bleed if not attended to quickly. One day the ears are just
fine and then the critters descend and have a feast seemingly overnight. We have
tried all the lotions and potions and have found spraying is easier than a
cream. I manage to get cream from one end of me and the dogs to the other. The
puppy managed to abscond with the tube and squish the lot everywhere. So much
for the cream which the flies seemed to enjoy anyway and the ears still got
munched.
I have a great little recipe which you are all
welcome to have, which we mix up in a jug and spray on with a water spray
bottle. Mix equal parts of Dettol (hope this is available in your part of the
world - it is a strong smelling disinfectant/antiseptic liquid available at the
supermarket), Baby Oil and Methylated Spirits. Cheap as chips to make, works
like a charm and safe as houses on the dogs too.
Then there are the ticks. Well we have them all
here in Queensland, dont we? You name the critter and we probably have it.
Fortunately in our area they are just bush ticks but are pretty much in plague
proportions this year due to the extreme heat and rain. I always figured they
were transported by the possums and bats that lived in our mango trees. Well the
mango trees provide great shade so we always put up with them preferring to
spray the ground when they got too bad and ignore them other times till bath
time.
I have discovered that they will feast on
anything and when I found a half eaten mango left by the dogs who are by now
well and truly had their fill of them, it was swarming with ticks. I mean
crawling!!! Hundreds of the darned things literally marching back to the tree
chockers with mango. I couldnt stomp them all out. This tree and I will part
company after all this time. I have fought for years to keep this tree despite
my husbands protestations of the mess the leaves and the fallen fruit make.
Yuk, those ticks really put the kybosh on it. Up with the sails and down with
the tree and this is from a serious environmental person.
Thank God the summer is almost over.
CHERYL LECOURT
