They're called Snuggles and Hobbs, but you can rename them. They're two Pembroke Welsh corgis, and they're currently at the Chautauqua County Humane Society, waiting for a new home.
Both dogs are tri-color corgis, and both are about the same age. The shelter lists them as between 1 and 2. I think they're a bit older, but they're still young dogs with a lot of love to give. I also think they may be brothers as their heads bear a family resemblance. Both dogs are very shy and are probably not good bets for a family looking for an active dog to play with the kids. They are very sweet, though. Snuggles got his name because he will sit very close to almost anyone. He can't be coaxed to come to you, but if you're the person next to him, he leans in, and is fine with being petted.
Hobbs is less snuggly but is also willing to sit next to someone and be petted. Neither seems afraid of people, but neither seems to have much curiosity about things and neither one has been trained to walk on a leash. Hobbs has a scar across his nose, but there's no way to know what caused it. It would be helpful if stray dogs came with a manual detailing their past lives. In this case, I'd love to know if the dogs are, in fact, brothers, and what Hobbs got into that led to that nose scar. Corgis are generally very lively, active dogs. Snuggles and Hobbs aren't afraid of people, but they don't seem to seek attention, or want to explore.
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Su Ewing
Some of this may be the shock of living at the shelter. The place is just packed with dogs right now. Smaller dogs, like the corgis, don't get a run; they're in fairly spacious cages, but it's still a more confined space. They get taken out, of course, but giving these dogs a really good walk is impossible until they learn not to fight the collar and leash. And, because the shelter is so crowded, staff and volunteers are stretched to the limit. There's just not a lot of extra time for working with two shy corgis.
(Note: We were away for a while, so I had to get this column written ahead of time. Meanwhile, the two corgis are now in corgi rescue, and no longer at the Humane Society. There are still many wonderful dogs there looking for the perfect home.)
On another topic, June was a very hot month, and July and August will probably be just as hot or hotter. While you're trying to cool off with a pool or air conditioning or fans, or refreshing drinks, think about your pets as well.
It should not have to be said that a closed car is a death trap in the summer, yet every year pets die from overheating in a car. Leaving windows partially open is not effective, and parking in the shade isn't much help. A closed car's internal temperature can top 100 degrees in 15 minutes or less in the summer.
If you have caged pets at home, make sure that those cages aren't in the direct sun. The same goes for aquariums. Not only will too much sun increase algae growth, added heat could kill your fish.
Your cat or dog may enjoy escaping to a cool basement if the door is open to that area, or, you may find them avoiding carpeting, and stretching out on tile or on bare wood flooring. If you have to confine your pet while you're away, choose the coolest room in the house.
My dogs enjoy ice cubes, so every time we get a cool drink, they get ice to munch. Your dog may enjoy a kiddie wading pool when the weather is warm. Many dogs will lie in a pool to cool off after exercise. Or, you may have a dog like Gael, who seems to love the heat. Frequently, I'll look out to see her lying in the sun when the thermometer reads in the 80s. She never seems to be in any distress, but I keep an eye on her anyway, and, in the middle of the day, when there's minimal shade, I set the kitchen timer for 10 minutes, then I call her in.
On a scorching summer day, hot dogs are a dinner choice. I want my pets indoors, out of the sun, and with a bowl of cool water always available.