Pet Fire Safety

In Southern California, the smoke is starting to clear but our recent outbreak of fires reminds me of how quickly fires can spring up in our communities and how devastating they can be.

Our main goal in these situations is to protect our family, but what about our pets? What if a fire breaks out and you are not home? How can we make sure they are safe too?

I realized I didn't have any answers to these important questions and went on a search for tips for protecting my pet in case of a fire.

Check out the following pet protection tips from Dog Day After News:

- Keep your pet's current license and vaccination tags on his or her collar to
help with identification in case you become separated. The best way to ensure
easy identification is to have your pet micro-chipped.

- Prepare an emergency kit with important financial and personal information.
Include your pet's medical records and food.

- Have a plan for a friend, family member, or boarding kennel to take care of
your pet on short notice in case of an emergency.

- Use a Pet Alert rescue sticker to help make firefighters aware of your pets.

For other tips for pet fire safety, visit the helpful sites below:

Wildland Fire Safety for Your Livestock and Pets - www.fire.ca.gov
Pet Safety - safety.com
Wilshire the Fire Dog - Fire Safety - wilshirethefiredog.org

Beach Book Guide - Pup Edition

The sun is shining overhead, there is slight breezy in the air, you lay on a cozy beach blanket toe digging in the sand and as you stare out into the blindingly blue ocean you think to yourself....Man, I could use a good book!

Well Polka Dot Pup has come to the rescue. What day at the beach is complete without a good read to keep you entertained? Whether you are relaxing at the beach or hanging pool side, Polka Dot has found the book for you!

Marley & Me, Life and Love with the Worlds Worst Dog by John Grogan - I know I have mentioned this book before but I cannot tell you enough how good of a read it is. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry but more importantly it shows you how important a dog can be in your life.

From Bagdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava by Jay Kopelman - Jay Kopelman tells a story that is both tender and thought-provoking, candidly portraying the ugly conditions in wartime Iraq, while also describing his (and his fellow Marines') growing attachment to a scruffy stray puppy.

Mostly Bob by Tom Corwin - After his beloved golden retriever died, Tom Corwin was compelled to write a letter to his friends and family to celebrate his pets life.

Shelter Dogs by Traer Scott - Photographer Traer Scott’s endearing portraits of dogs living in American shelters are irresistible and heart-rending – and make a passionate appeal to dog lovers everywhere.

A few other great doggie reads:

A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas

Lost & Found by Jacqueline Sheehan

The New Yorkers: A Novel by Cathleen Schine


Do you have a favorite pup related book we left off the list? Have a review for one of the books we selected?? Let us know...Polkadotpupblog@aol.com

Polka Dot Pup - Water Pups Photo Contest

Calling all Water Dogs!!!

We want to see your pups in action this summer. Send us your favorite water dog moments and we will feature them in our new Polka Dot Pup - Water Pups segment running through the end of August.

Check out Vixen, one of our favorite pups. She loves hitting the beach and playing in the water and sand!



And than there is Abby, our bathing beauty who loves to lay on the beach and soak up the sun.




Surfs Up!

Polka Dot Pup