EPISODE 011:

The Cool Experience

See

Summer Selfies!

Hot dogs. Cool cats. We wanna see them all!

See more

Hear

Cool or Not Cool?

Dr. Kevin answers rapid fire Q’s on how to adventure safely in the heat.

Hear more

Smell

Neighborhood Gossip

Long before your morning coffee, your dogs & cats are sniffing the daily news.

Smell more

Taste

Cool As A Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Best served with a freshly filled bowl of cool, clean water.

Taste more

Touch

The Cool-Down Paw Check

Your dogs & cats have been collecting the story of the day on their paws.

Touch more

6th Sense

Happy Birthday, Leo!

Leos approach life with enthusiasm first and caution second.

Sense more

Your Q&A

Ask Dr. Kevin Anything!

Your questions answered, including… hydration and heat tips you’ll appreciate.

Ask more

There are certain moments that only belong to summer.

The sound of sprinklers down the street. A cold drink that somehow tastes better outside. The shade of a big tree after you’ve spent a little too long in the sun. A screen door opening and closing while someone laughs from the kitchen.

Our dogs and cats seem to notice these moments before we do.

A dog will happily stretch out on the coolest patch of grass in the yard as if he’s discovered a luxury resort. A cat can locate the one windowsill where the afternoon breeze drifts through the house. Neither one is in much of a hurry. They seem perfectly content letting summer arrive one slow moment at a time.

There’s something comforting about that.

Most of us spend our days moving from one thing to the next. We answer messages while making dinner. We think about tomorrow before today has even finished. Our pets have a gentle way of reminding us that life is still happening right here, usually somewhere near our feet.

This month, we’re taking our cue from them.

You’ll find practical ways to help your dog or cat stay comfortable during the hottest days of the year. Dr. Kevin shares a few summer myths worth retiring. We’ve tucked in a cool little recipe, a simple good habit for checking your pet’s paws after an adventure, and a few other surprises along the way.

Mostly, though, we hope this month’s experience gives you permission to slow down for a little while.

Pour yourself another cup of coffee if it’s morning. Pour yourself something cold if it’s afternoon. Invite your favorite four-legged companion to settle in beside you.

Summer will wait.

We’re really glad you’re here.

See

Your Summer Selfies

 📸  Hot dogs. Cool cats.

However your dog or cat spends the summer, we’d love to meet them.

Every month, our favorite part of Palms & Paws is seeing your personalities shine through. Share your favorite selfie, and your pet will be featured in next month’s Episode.

Click on each image to view full size

Submit your pet selfie to be featured next month!

Submit Your Pet Selfie

Hear

The PAWDCAST:

Cool or Not Cool?

011 PAWDCAST - Cool or Not Cool? - (run time: 26 mins)

It’s summer. The days are hot. The play is long. The fun can feel endless. But, when is it too hot for our dogs and cats?

In this episode, Greta Rose delivers a rapid fire series of a plethora of heat-related topics, asking Dr. Kevin, “Cool or not cool?” As always, he packs in more pet parenting tips into a single conversation than seems possible. You’ll laugh, learn, and love your pets even better during the long August days of summer.

Have a listen. We think you’ll walk away with something useful.

 

Have a story or sound bite to share?
Submit it here & we may feature it next month!

Submit Your Pet Sound Bite

Smell

Neighborhood Gossip

Long before your first cup of coffee, your dog or cat is catching up on the neighborhood gossip.

That patch of grass you’ve walked past a hundred times? Your dog is reading the headlines, the bylines, and probably a few opinion pieces. Every scent tells a story about who’s been there, when they stopped by, and where they went next.

Meanwhile, your cat is taking in the morning breeze. To them, it’s filled with messages about who’s nearby, what changed overnight, and whether today’s air has anything interesting to say.

Incredibly, both dogs and cats have a remarkable “second nose,” called the vomeronasal organ, that detects pheromones and other chemical signals we never experience. It’s one more reason their world is so much richer than the one we can smell.

Their noses can also tell us something.

A nose that’s warm after a nap or dry after lounging in the sunshine is often perfectly normal. The better clue is the whole picture. Are they drinking? Playing? Resting comfortably? Do they seem like themselves?

Our pets are communicating with us all day long.

The more we pay attention, the more fluent we become in their language.

Dog noseDog nose

Taste

Cool As A Cucumber
Tea Sandwiches

These tiny cucumber tea sandwiches are sure to impress the dog sitting patiently in the kitchen… or the cat pretending not to care while quietly keeping an eye on every move you make.

They’re light, refreshing, wonderfully simple, and feel perfectly at home on a warm summer afternoon. You’ll probably pop a few into your mouth during preparation, as we did, just to let you know.

Download your recipe card below and treat your favorite furry guest to a proper summer tea.


Cool As A Cucumber Tea Sandwiches (for Cats & Dogs)

Ingredients:

• 1 organic cucumber, peeled
• 2 tablespoons plain organic Greek yogurt
• 8 fresh organic blueberries

Instructions:

  1. Peel the cucumber. This one’s important. Cucumber peels can be difficult for some dogs and cats to digest.
  2. Slice into thin rounds.
  3. Spread a very thin layer of plain Greek yogurt onto one slice.
  4. Top with a second cucumber slice to create a tiny sandwich.
  5. Place one blueberry in the center (use a dab of yogurt to keep in place.
  6. Chill in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes, if desired (your dog may not desire, in preference to eating them NOW, please).

Pairing Suggestion:

Best served with a freshly filled bowl of cool, clean water.

Serving Suggestions:

Cats: One mini sandwich is plenty. Some will happily investigate. Others will supervise the preparation from a respectful distance.

Small dogs: 1 mini sandwich

Medium dogs: 1 to 2 mini sandwiches

Large dogs: 2 to 3 mini sandwiches

Humans: As many as you like!

Treats should always complement a complete and balanced diet. If your dog or cat has food allergies, digestive sensitivities, or underlying medical conditions, consult your primary care veterinarian before introducing new foods.

Touch

The Cool-Down Paw Check

Every great adventure leaves a little evidence behind.

A sandy beach. A wooded trail. The neighborhood sidewalk. By the time your dog or cat heads home, they’ve been collecting the story of the day on their paws.

Summer is a wonderful time to slow down for what we call the Cool-Down Paw Check.

Offer a bowl of fresh, cool water. Find a comfortable place to sit together. Then, one paw at a time, take a quick look.

Check for small pebbles, burrs, tiny cuts, cracked paw pads, or anything that simply doesn’t look quite right.

Here’s something many pet parents don’t know: one of the few places dogs and cats actually have sweat glands is in their paw pads. It’s one reason healthy paws deserve a little extra appreciation, especially after a walk on warm pavement, sand, or a sunny deck.

Most pets quickly learn that this quiet little ritual comes with gentle attention, a few kind words, and usually a well-earned nap.

We’ve written an entire article celebrating one of the hardest-working parts of your pet’s body.

→ Read: Paw Check: Why Your Pet’s Paws Are Pure Magic

As always, if something seems unusual, check in with your primary care veterinarian. You know your pet best. They’re your trusted partner in helping keep them healthy.

6th Sense

Pet-o-Scope

Happy Birthday!
Leo (July 23 – Aug 22)

Leo Dogs
Leo dogs approach life with enthusiasm first and caution second. They are playful, confident, emotionally generous, courageous, and often deeply social. They assume everyone at the park is their friend, walks are dramatic events, and they’re the center of attention.

Leo dogs thrive when life feels active, expressive, and shared. What they need most is joyful engagement, freedom to explore, and humans who celebrate their spirit.

Leo Cats
Leo cats often carry a striking confidence. They like to choose their own path, their own timing, and preferably the highest surface in the room. They dislike feeling restricted or overly managed.

They usually crave recognition and emotional connection more than they let on. A Leo cat wants to feel admired, respected, and free to fully be themselves.

In return, they bring charisma, playfulness, affection, and a kind of emotional brightness that fills an entire home.

Download your Leo Pet-o-Scope card and add it to your growing collection.
(It’s fun to color in!)

AKA
(Ask Dr. Kevin Anything)

Ask Dr. Kevin!
Ask Your Q

 

Dr. Kevin, our head Palms & Paws veterinarian, is here to answer your questions – big and small – from both humans & pets. Your questions inspire articles which will help many other pet parents, so thank you!

 

Q: “Can my cat or dog drink too much water?”

Dr. Kevin:
They sure can! Staying hydrated is important, especially during summer, but excessive drinking can sometimes point to an underlying medical condition. Learn what’s normal, what deserves a closer look, and when it’s time to schedule a visit.

👉 Read: When Their Thirst Is Trying to Tell You Something

 

Q: “My dog would play fetch forever if I’d let her. When should I call it a day?”

Dr. Kevin: Dogs and cats don’t always know when they’ve had enough. Learn the early signs of overheating, healthy recovery, and a few simple ways to help everyone cool down safely.

👉 Read: Keeping Your Cool: Smart Summer Habits for Dogs & Cats

 

Q: “How can I tell if the pavement is too hot?”

Dr. Kevin: It’s one of the easiest summer safety checks you’ll ever learn, and one of the most important.

👉 Read: The 7-Second Rule

❤️ Next month, we head back to school ❤️
We’ll navigate it together.

 

Paws This Along...

Every month, we put together an episode we’d happily send to our favorite pet people (and, we do).

If someone came to mind while you were reading, we’d encourage you to do exactly that.

Thank you for creating a community where people and pets flourish along with us!

Tails wagging.
Hearts full.
Onward we go.

Love,
The entire Palms & Paws Pawsse

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