By Jeannette Schwenk

That's how hot your car can get in 10 minutes on an 85 degree day with your windows slightly open. In 30 minutes it can get up to 120 degrees.

We all love to take our dogs with us. They love riding in the car but wouldn't they be better left home on hot days?

At 110 degrees your dog will have heat stroke. On hot, humid days car temperature rises more than 30 degrees per minute!

I have a friend who took her two dogs everywhere with her. She made a stop at a friends house to drop something off to her, leaving the dogs in the car with the car running and the air conditioner on. She stayed inside a little longer than she planned. When she came out the car was still running but the air conditioner had shut down. Her miniature grey hound was dead and the Great Dane was dying. She rushed to her vet but he didn't make it. This tragedy was unnecessary.

If you see a pet in hot weather danger, try to get immediate help. Call the police if you see a dog in a parked car on a hot day.

I once found a dog in a car in a parking lot. The windows were slightly open and the dog was in distress. I opened the car gave the dog water and planned on staying until either the owner or police arrived. This dog was lucky as the car was unlocked. The owner arrived with three children all in tears not realizing how hot the car would get.

PLEASE DON’T LEAVE YOUR PETS IN THE CAR