Had a lot of people notice that Sweet P was glaringly absent in the photo of us at the Moonlight Classic Friday night. Flat faced dogs (Pugs for one) cannot tolerate heat. Since we were going to be out in it for at least 4 hours, I did not want to put her through it. Chivalry is not dead. Arif Vadsaria emailed me this about a cooling system for dogs. I DO have one of those water soaked evaporating vests for her, but they do NOT work in humid conditions (DUH -- wish I had read that before I paid a fortune for it!), and Houston is a tad bit humid. These vests are NOT cheap, but in reality, are very cheap insurance, ya' know? They make HUMAN vests too -- and they don't look like restraining vests either, but are very high vis and sporty -- but they are EXPENSIVE. But again, cheap insurance when you think about it.  For you die hard summer riders, this is a serious consideration you should invest in for your safety out in the heat while riding. Check the sports vests out on the website listed below.  
 
Since Sweet P goes EVERYWHERE with me, I am getting her one of these to wear every time we go out during the day -- to the grocery store or where ever. Thanks Arif for thinking about my better half!
 
http://www.coolvest.com/RPCM_Cooling_Vest/Dogs_Equine.aspx

Okay the ves came and I used it on Sweet P yesterday. Had to do some shopping, and it is brutal out in a hot car with a "feels like" temperature over 100 degrees (the humidity kicks you in the &^%%).
 
It had an INCREDIBLE effect on Sweet P. She was so comfortable and never even panted -- normally she is just miserable. Even Super Skeptic Greg was impressed -- he does NOT impress easy. The vest was NOT "cold". It stayed 59 degrees. The packs lasted 2 hours. They recharge in 20 minutes in ice and water. You can keep them in the freezer all the time. Kind of strange. Not sure what kind of effect it would have on a human. But I am a HUGE believer for dogs. Wish the packs lasted longwr than 2 hours before needing re charging, but knowing how miserable it is on heer without them, I can handle it.