For many dogs, going on a ride is very exciting. Just the jingle of the car keys can send some dogs into a tail-wagging frenzy, hoping that they might get to go somewhere new, see something different and have a little adventure. Variety is the spice of life, and remembering that your dog needs variety is important. By all means, find ways to get out and about with your four-legged friend. However, I have one very important plea: play it cool!

Lots of caring pet "parents" don't understand how our cooling systems work. We aren't as efficient as people at beating the heat. Some heat escapes our bodies through our paws, and panting helps regulate our temperature too, but that's about it. We can't open the car door and get out. We can't change into cooler clothing. We can't even yell for help. All we can do is trust our people to look out for our safety.

When the thermometer spikes, we can suffer heatstroke, causing organ damage and even death. This is especially true in a parked car, where circumstances can change from safe to lethal in the blink of an eye.

Studies show that even on mild days, a car can rapidly become an oven. For example, the inside of a parked car on a 72-degree day heats into the mid 90-degree range within 10 minutes. That temperature continues to rise well over 100 degrees as time goes on. A cracked window does almost nothing to change the equation.

The best guideline for any pet owner is simply not to take a dog along if the dog will have to stay in the car even briefly. In a dog-friendly town like Middleburg, a dog in a parked car during summer is a major crisis. I've heard stories of people breaking car windows and I've seen people notify the police when a dog is left in a car. I once saw a woman who got out of her car for just a second only to return to a crowd of concerned and angry citizens forming a crowd around the car because she had left her dog inside. There's no doubt that I live in a place where the welfare of animals is a top priority.

When you're enjoying the dog days of summer, make it your priority to not only protect your pet, but also keep an eye out for the safety of other pets. If you see a dog suffering in a car, take action! An angry or embarrassed owner is a small price to pay for saving a life.

By all means, take us with you for rides to exciting new places in cool, air conditioned cars. Just remember: we get out when you get out. That's the rule. It's pretty cool!

Albert, a Jack Russell Terrier, is Chairman of the Board of Wylie Wagg, a shop for dogs, cats, and their people, in Middleburg and Fairfax. Email him at albertspawpals@gmail.com.