Three years have passed since Jennie Carpay hiked Beaver Creek with her fiancé and two dogs, but the day is still scorched in her memory.

Carpay took every precaution to safeguard her Australian Shepherds Rebel and Rugar from the summer heat.

“I had cooling remedies, extra water, supplies, food, watched the dogs’ tongues,” said Carpay. “We never ran on the trail, and we cooled off in the river so they wouldn't overheat.”

The first 0.8 miles of the hike went along without a hitch. The group was nearing a stopping point when Carpay noticed that one dog, Rebel, was missing.

“Rebel is such a great listener, and I feel he doesn't need to be on a leash,” said Carpay. “I thought maybe he was stuck sniffing something stinky at the last bend of the trail.”

But when she backtracked, Carpay found Rebel frozen in the middle of the trail.

Even after calling his name, Rebel didn’t budge. So Carpay walked over to investigate.

Rebel’s front paw was raw and red. Carpary said the pad was nearly ripped off.

“I still feel so bad telling this story,” she said. Carpay believes going back and forth between the water and the trail softened the dog’s feet.

The couple took turns carrying Rebel so he didn’t have to walk back to the car. For two days afterward, Carpay said her dog didn’t move much while his paws healed. Rebel eventually made a full recovery.

“I hope others can learn from my mistake,” said Carpay.

Heat help

Dr. Sarah Bashaw, a veterinarian at El Dorado Animal Hospital in Fountain Hills, said the heat poses the greatest summer risk for dogs, putting them at risk for paw injuries and heat stroke.

“We advise our pet owners to take their walks early in the morning,” said Dr. Bashaw. “Quite early - like 5:30 or 6 o’clock, to get done by 7:30 or 8.”

Dr. Bashaw said certain dog breeds are especially susceptible to heat stroke.

“Boxers, pugs, bulldogs, French bulldogs, they can heat stroke very quickly,” said Dr. Bashaw. “They have a shorter snout, and can’t cool the air as well.”

Signs that a dog may be experiencing heat stroke include heavy panting and drooling, brick-red colored gums, red in the whites of the eyes, or red inside the ears.

To treat heat stroke, Dr. Bashaw warned pet owners to not cool down their dogs too quickly. “Cold water or cool water is too cold. It will shock the system.”

Her recommendation is to take the dog to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible, or rinse the dog with lukewarm water and then go inside to air conditioning.

For paw injuries, Dr. Bashaw said that not all dogs will display symptoms of pain or discomfort. “Some dogs are really stoic and don’t give you any signs.”

If you aren’t sure whether the ground is cool enough for a walk, use this test: “Take your hand and go straight on the asphalt and see if you can hold it there. If you can’t, it’s too hot. Take your shoe off, test it out on your foot. If you can’t, your dog can’t,” said Bashaw.

Dr. Bashaw warned strongly against leaving a dog inside a hot car. “Never ever, ever, leave your dog in the car unattended, for even a second.”

If your dog does accompany you on errands, be wary of pet patios at restaurants, said Dr. Deborah Johnson, who has been a veterinarian at Palisades Veterinary Hospital for almost 13 years.

Other concerns

Beyond blistering heat, the summer poses other health and safety concerns for man’s four-legged friend.

“During storms, thunder, lightning, dogs get scared and run,” said Dr. Johnson. “So make sure they’re in an enclosed area.”

Fireworks can also frighten pets during holiday season.

Coyotes can prey on small dogs at dusk or during the evening when they’re most active.

“If coyotes are hungry enough they will try to jump into a yard and snatch a dog,” said Dr. Bashaw.

Javelina also pose a nighttime risk for dog walkers.

“The javelina are extremely aggressive. If you get too close, they will attack. So just turn around and go the other way,” advised Dr. Bashaw

Another health risk to humans and animals is the Bufo toad, also called the Colorado River Toad or Sonoran Desert Toad. The toad produces a poison, which it secretes through the skin.

“When dogs lick these toads, they develop first foaming at the mouth, followed by irritation, heart palpitations, arrhythmias, convulsions, seizures, coma and even death if it’s not treated right away,” said Dr. Bashaw. To stop the poison from taking effect, rinse the dog’s tongue immediately.

Despite the number of summer dangers, there are ways to stay active. Dr. Bashaw recommended indoor training facilities.

“Don’t forget about mental activities so dogs don’t have boredom in the summer,” she added.