It's hot this week — do you know where your pets are? Are they cool and safe?

TIME TO STAY COOL

Two special words to think about today: water and shade.

Make sure your pets have lots of cool water and shady spots where they can stay out of this hot weather.

  • If you take your dog for a walk when it cools off after work, make sure the pavement isn't hot enough to burn the dog's feet. Take water for the dog to drink.

  • Is there a cool spot in your house or garage for an outdoor dog to stay while it's hot? Is there outside shade?

  • Keep water dishes out of the sun. Have several water dishes for thirsty animals.

  • Indoor cats/dogs need cool places to sleep. Bathtub bottoms are cool, so leave the bathroom door open. Leave frozen plastic 2-liter bottles of water wrapped in towels for them to snuggle up to.

  • Rabbits are heat-sensitive so make sure there's a frozen bottle of water in the cage.

    Signs of pet overheating:

    Excessive panting, glazed eyes, acting disoriented, vomiting, and/or a deep red or purple tongue. If your pet has any of these symptoms, get it to your vet ASAP. You might call for advice first.

    BIOBLITZ ON DIABLO

    A BioBlitz is a race against time to see how many species can be found and counted in a 24-hour period, since different species can be found at different times of day. BioBlitz brings together scientists, naturalists and volunteers to document

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    biodiversity present in our community.

    This year's BioBlitz will take place on Save Mount Diablo's Mangini Ranch and Lime Ridge Open Space. They will start 4 p.m. Friday (May 16) and count until 4 p.m. Saturday (May 17).

    From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday there will also be children's activities, including guided expeditions to search for creatures and fun, hands-on exhibits. REI representatives will also be at the event with their Leave No Trace booth to educate children about the outdoors and responsible enjoyment of our public lands.

    Lindsay Wildlife Museum will be there with an activity for kids, touchable artifacts and perhaps a live animal.

    Let knowledgeable naturalists teach you about the flora and fauna of this beautiful property, which is not usually open to the public. Guided hikes begin at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

    Call 925-947-3535 for more details, where to meet, registration information and forms, or visit www.savemountdiablo.org, or e-mail mwaver@savemountdiablo.org.

    Oh yeah, and have fun!

    PAWS ON PARADE

    Walk the walk for Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation at Paws on Parade on Sunday (May 18). It's a .9 mile FUNdraising walk for people and dogs around Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek. Registration at 8 a.m., walk at 10:30 a.m.

    By registering friends, family, etc., as a "pack" or registering as an individual, walkers and their dogs can help save the lives of abandoned dogs and cats. For their monetary pledges, all walkers receive gifts and many thanks from ARF.

    After Paws on Parade, ARF invites walkers to stay and play at Animals on Broadway, a community festival celebrating people and pets from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

    Bring your best friend because there's plenty for the pooches. A Silly Pet Tricks contest where you can win a $100 Broadway Plaza gift certificate, or a Dunkin' for Veggies dog competition.

    There's also fun for the entire family. Raffle prizes and giveaways, including gift certificates and gift baskets; vendor booths for the shoppers; kids crafts and face painting; memorabilia for the sports enthusiast; dog washes for messy mutts; live music; and tons of pet products, food and toys for the four-legged members of your family.

    More details and times at www.arf.net.

    Find more Gary in his blog at www.ibabuzz.com/garybogue. or write Gary, P.O. Box 8099, Walnut Creek, CA 94596-8099; old columns at ContraCostaTimes.com., click on Columns; e-mail garybug@infionline.net.