It seems like summer just got here and, already, fall is on the horizon. Zeus is not, as you can imagine, really a “warm weather” kind of guy and I’m sure he’s looking forward to the onset of cooler temps — but we still managed to have some fun these past few months.

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Zeus loves almost nothing more than a walk in the woods and we’ve spent this short summer season finding new trails, exploring new territory and sniffing new ground. On a handful of glorious occasions, there was even some rolling around in what can only be described as the worst smelling stuff on Earth. It’s the little things, right?

I love how a previously unknown path through the forest can spark his sense of adventure, but it does, on occasion, put us in situations almost exactly like the one described in our first installment of Dogs 101 on the body language of dogs. Be sure to give it a read — whether or not you’ve ever been part of a canine meet-and-greet that didn’t go as planned, you’re sure to learn some very valuable tips about the way our dogs communicate with us.

Don’t miss our story on the heartbreaking realities of “Black Dog” syndrome, either. You might not have heard of it before, but it’s an incredibly important topic. Black dogs and cats are losing their lives every year for no reason other than the color of their fur. Knowing why it happens and what we can do to prevent it may mean the difference between life and death for these homeless pets.

Something else you might not have heard about is dog scootering, which is perfect for dogs who really perk up when there’s a chill in the air. Pulling Together takes a look at this sport, so if you and your dogs are looking forward to a drop in the Mercury as much as Zeus, you’ll want to check it out.

Summer, soon, will give way to fall, yet it’s the change of seasons that keeps things fresh and exciting. We never know what new adventure lies past the next bend in the trail — but we’re lucky to walk the path with our dogs.

Brooke Keane
Fall 2014
editor@WestSuburbanDog.com