A Big, Slightly Overdue Thank You to Patricia McConnell

At Chillybuddy, we spend a lot of time thinking about dogs, warm weather, and the many creative ways a dog can let you know they are officially done with the heat. Sometimes it is the extra-long tongue. Sometimes it is the "I'm gonna lie directly on this cool spot and embody a boulder now..." strategy.

As we head toward fall, it can be tempting to assume the hottest days are behind us. Our team is already putting up cozy home decor while the AC is still working overtime. Ah, the duality of life. But heat does not always follow the calendar. Late-summer heatwaves and warmer-than-usual conditions can linger into September and October in many places, so this feels like a good time to revisit an especially thoughtful 2025 article by Patricia McConnell, PhD, on heat stress in dogs. The National Weather Service cautions that extreme heat can remain dangerous even during seasons that are usually cooler, and NOAA’s seasonal outlook favors above-normal temperatures across much of the United States this fall. weather.gov noaa.gov

In that post, Patricia shared her personal experience trying a Chillybuddy vest with her dog, Skip, as part of a larger conversation about paying attention to canine heat stress. We were honored to be included in that discussion, especially by someone whose work has helped so many people understand dogs with greater empathy, care, and common sense.

A Good Time to Revisit Heat Safety

Patricia's article, "Heat Stress in Dogs Revisited," was published in June 2025, but its core message remains as relevant as ever: hot weather can be hard on dogs, humidity matters, and prevention is always better than trying to recover from a dangerous situation later.

In her post, Patricia shared an honest and important look at managing heat with dogs, including Skip, whose heart condition makes warm and humid weather an especially serious concern. She reminds readers that overheating is not something to take lightly, and that humidity can make a hot day much harder on dogs than the thermometer alone may suggest.

Her advice is wonderfully practical: pay attention to the weather, notice what your individual dog is telling you, and make conservative choices when conditions are challenging.

That may look like:

• Walking earlier in the morning or later in the evening
• Choosing shade, fresh water, rest breaks, and cooler routes
• Being extra cautious with older dogs, dogs with thick or dark coats, flat-faced breeds, dogs carrying extra weight, and dogs with heart or breathing concerns
• Staying home when the weather calls for it, even if someone has already found the leash
• Knowing that heavy panting, weakness, wobbliness, confusion, or collapse require immediate attention
• Dogs do not earn bonus points for being tough in the heat. Neither do we.

Preventative Care With a Cooling Vest

At Chillybuddy, we believe a cooling vest can be a helpful part of a dog’s warm-weather comfort plan. It does not replace shade, water, rest, supervision, common sense, or veterinary care. And it is definitely not a hall pass for longer walks in dangerous heat.

Really cool dog glasses can help protect a dog’s eyes from UV rays, wind, dust, and trail debris, but they cannot negotiate with a heatwave.

Note: Cool dog glasses can protect eyes. They cannot negotiate with a heatwave.

Heat Safety Is Teamwork

A cooling vest works best as one part of a bigger, dog-first plan. Every dog is different, and factors such as age, coat type, health, activity level, humidity, sunlight, and access to shade can all affect how well a dog handles warm conditions.

When in doubt, make the low-drama choice:

• Bring water
• Take breaks (especially in shade)
• Check the pavement
• Watch your dog, not just the clock
• Head home early if your dog seems uncomfortable

The best outing is the one that ends with a happy dog, a cool nap, and maybe a little side-eye because the treat bag was bottomless.

We Want To Take a Moment to Give a Shout-out to Patricia's New Novel.

Away to Me may be Patricia McConnell’s fiction debut, but she has been writing books dog people love for decades. Her catalog includes The Other End of the Leash, For the Love of a Dog, The Education of Will, and practical training resources that have helped dog guardians better understand the animals in their lives

Her new mystery follows animal behaviorist Dr. Maddie McGowan, her Border Collie Jack, and a murder connected to a sheepdog trial in rural Wisconsin. It sounds like a great read for anyone who enjoys dogs, suspense, and smart characters with a lot to untangle.

Also, because this matters: no dog dies in the story. A direct quote from Patricia and we'll trust her on that.

*Pulled from patriciamcconnell.

Thank You, Again.

We were glad to see Chillybuddy included in a thoughtful conversation about canine heat safety. The takeaway is simple: know your dog, respect the weather, and do not be afraid to call wrap the day up early.

Your dog may not thank you in words. But they may offer a tail wag, a nap in the shade, or the highest honor of all: choosing to sit next to you instead of directly on the air-conditioning vent.