All this yapping I've done encouraging you to protect your pets from Houston's heat.. and I never considered how hot it is over in Iraq, where dozens of military dogs work beside their humans every day. The forecast high in Basrah, Iraq is 118°!

So, I'd like to thank reader Claudia for letting me know about the drive to provide our mililtary dogs with K-9 cooling vests. The online store HelpingUdders.com (which donates some of its proceeds to rescues) are collecting money for ChillyDog vests to keep our military K-9s cool! So far, 15 of the $129 vests have been sent to Iraq. You'll find more information about keeping military K-9s cool here, and details of how the vests work here. Want to contribute to our brave furry war dogs overseas? The ChillyDog vest donation website is here.

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