16/08/2025
This was shared by a friend from a Wisbech site.... a start reminder on the dangers of walking dogs in heatwaves... IT IS NOT OK!!!!
THIS IS A WARNING TO ALL DOG OWNERS
Please take the time to read my post. Sorry it's long, but I need to get this off my chest.
I'm sure the majority of you already know this, but, please please do not take your dogs out in the boiling hot sun. I know this, I did not ever do this to my dog. HEAT STROKE IN DOGS IS VERY REAL.
Last night at 6pm, my dog, Benny, a French bulldog, died. He was an extremely healthy and fit dog. He had no breathing issues like many of the bulldogs do, he had no allergies, no joint issues, he was perfect. But he died, he suffered, and this is why.
Due to him having separation anxiety from me, and the fact that my whole household were going to my sisters wedding, I didn't want him home alone for a long time, so I paid for the services of Nikki, who runs a doggy day care - HOWLERS DOGGY DAYCARE, HOTEL AND SPA - Just on the outskirts of wisbech.
We paid for him to stay overnight and be returned home to us at 12pm yesterday.
They were late bringing him home. I text asking if all was OK, She immediately replied saying would be here by 1pm. 1.40pm I ring her, the signal is bad but I can tell she's in a car and she said he's very tired, I said what do you mean? I couldn't hear her response as the line was so bad.
She arrived at my house 5 minutes later and said he's having a lay down. She opened the car door, and my dog was collapsed in the footwell, barely conscious, eyes fixed, tongue hanging out and breathing really fast through his nose. He was drenched in water. I panicked, screamed for my partner.
Nikki picked him up and he just flopped In her arms.
She told me I need to calm down and he was OK. He was not. She said he will come round lay him on the cold floor. When asked why he was so wet she replied, that's what we do to all the dogs after a walk, we hose them.
I made her drive me to the vet.
They tried for hours to save him. But there was no going back, the damage was done.
This lady, this professional, took my dog out for a walk/run at 12 midday, in 30 degree heat.
She then hosed him down with cold water.
The vet says he had severe heat stroke and blasting him with cold water triggered such a change in his temperature that his body went into shock and it exasperated the heat stroke.
He had 2 seizure at the vets, which left him with some brain damage, his temperature was so low for so long his organs were failing. There was no saving him.
Heat stroke is preventable. It is also reversible if acted on in the correct manor and care given as soon as possible. SHE NEGLECTED TO GET MY DOG HELP. she's took no responsibility for what she's done, saying he was fine until she got him home.
The vets told us what she did to him was criminal.
I have reported her to the rspca and animal welfare and the councils licencing department.
Please everyone, look after your dogs.
Learn the signs of heatstroke and how to act appropriately.
Do not walk them in raging heat.
Do not hose them down.
Cool them down slowly.
Seek medical attention.
Be careful where you send them
We trusted a professional business and now our boy is dead.
Mine, my children and my partners best friend is gone. I don't know how to get over it, we are traumatised. He was 3.5 years old.
If you have read all of this, I appreciate it.
Thank you.
