2. Dogs prefer cold water.

3. Snow is not a suitable supplement to water.  Ditto for salt water.

4. A healthy (but not overzealous) appetite for water can be an indicator of health, as it is directly related to kidney wellness.

5.  Dogs drink out of the toilet because: the porcelain naturally cools the water, the flushing keeps water “fresh” (so to speak) and oxygenated, and the water’s relatively clean.   Note: We do not recommend this.  The toilet can be filled with both bacteria and toxins from cleaning solutions.

Sources:

http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Facts-About-Drinking-Water-for-Dogs&id=845422

http://www.ehow.com/how_4595450_dog-cat-drink-water.html

http://www.vetinfo.com/bad-water-dogs.html

http://dogs.about.com/cs/generalcare/f/snow_water.htm

Q:

A: Yes, although it works more efficiently where there’s more evaporation (i.e. drier climates).

Q: Will the Swamp Cooler work if it’s not wet?

A: The Swamp Cooler will provide SPF protection and sun reflection even when not wet, which will help keep your dog’s temperature down (like wearing white instead of black on a hot day), but for the evaporative cooling to occur, it needs to be wetted down, preferably with cool water.

Q: Should I put my Swamp Cooler in the freezer?

A: No.  There are no crystals or chemicals in this product that require “activation”.  Putting the Swamp Cooler in the freezer may degrade the material and cause the temperature shock to your dog.   Just soak in cool water, wring out, and put around your dog.

Q: Will my dog be soaking wet after putting the damp Swamp Cooler on?

A: Not really.  Initially their top coat may become damp, but the water in the Swamp Cooler will evaporate (cooling your dog!),so they will not be wet for very long.

Q: Can I use salt water to wet the Swamp Cooler?

A: While you can use ocean water, salt does not evaporate.  If you do use salt water, make sure to rinse your vest out thoroughly after use.  For best results, we recommend using fresh, cool water for optimal cooling and performance.

Q: How long will the Swamp Cooler stay wet?

A: Generally, 45 minutes to two hours depending on the climate.

Q: What’s the best way to recharge the Swamp Cooler?

A: Have your dog jump in a river, lake or pond.  Second best?  Pour water directly on the coat while the dog is wearing it.

Q: Will the Swamp Cooler work underneath a pack?

A: Yes, but not as well.  The areas exposed to air will cool most effectively.

Q: How do I activate the Swamp Cooler?

A: Just soak in cool water, wring out, and put around your dog like this.

It’s hard to believe that putting something extra on your dog may actually cool them down.  But the principle is simple: evaporative cooling.

What is evaporative cooling?

When you first step out of the shower or a swimming pool, you may notice a cool feeling when your skin hits the air.  This is evaporative cooling.  In fact, every human being performs the function of evaporative cooling each day… through perspiration. When sweat evaporates, we cool down.  If we move around, the air flow cools us down even quicker.

What is a swamp cooler?

Let’s apply the same idea of evaporation to other technologies; for example, a swamp cooler system in a house.  A fan pulls hot, dry air through water soaked pads.  The cooler air is then circulated through the house, reducing temperatures anywhere from 20 to 30 degrees.

Another simple example? Blow a fan over a piece of ice and notice the extra-cool breeze.  You’ve just created a swamp cooler.  It’s that easy!

How does Ruff Wear’s Swamp Cooler™ work?

The Swamp Cooler cooling vest works just like an “on-dog” cooler.  By soaking the vest in cool water, wringing it out, and placing it on your dog, you are helping your dog to “sweat”…allowing evaporative cooling to take place as the cool water is exposed to moving air.  The water heats up, vaporizes, and the surrounding air is chilled…noticeably cooling your dog. No more dashing from tree to tree seeking shade.  No more hiding when the leash comes out.  Your dog can beat the heat more comfortably.  Try one and see!

Thursday, July 22

7:50am – Ruff Wear Pack meets at HQ and gets ready for departure.  Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are loaded and lashed to roofs in a manner that still allows hatchback access to our canine crew.

8:00am – Mavis decides to call shotgun, regardless that new guy Geoff is already sitting there.  No matter…Mavis uses Geoff as a seat cushion.

8:30am – The night owls of the Pack beg for a coffee stop.  Note: If you order a coffee “plain and black” from McDonalds, you are likely to get an iced Vanilla Latte of sorts.

9:30am – Arrive at Black Butte.  Check for enticing scat before letting out the hounds to avoid stinky car companions when traveling to the campsite.

Tripp, Chelsea, and Debbie at Black Butte

9:35am – Dogs reach the summit.

10:30am – Humans reach the summit. One mile of straight vertical.  Luckily, the view is incredible!

Group Photo at top of Black Butte

10:45am – Wish we had made human versions of the  DoubleBack™ harness so we could be belayed back down. Granola bars make for some quick energy for humans.  A Bivy Bowl™ of water works for the dogs.

Water Break for Cinder

11:30am – On to the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery for lunch.  We test out the shocks on the cars and debate whether it’s better to be hot OR dusty (windows up or down?)  Realize quickly why it’s good to be the “leader of the pack” on this rutted, dirt road.

12:00pm – Lunch!  Yum.  We rinse off dusty paws and dirty calves in the Metolius …then tempt the dogs with all the fish at the hatchery.

You've Heard of Farmer's Tan...this is a Central Oregon Dust Tan!

2:00pm – Arrive at Suttle Lake Campground.  Contemplate where to mark our territory.  Did we have sites 8 – 13 or 9 – 14?

2:30pm – A giant 6 person condo/tent (quickly dubbed “The Sorority House”) is erected.  No boys allowed!

3:00pm – We discover the world’s sixth ocean—the Suttle Lake/Ocean—or so it seems.  Despite the winds and white caps, we give stand up paddleboarding a shot.  Maybe it will be easier with a dog on the board…or not!

Patrick and Mavis Give Paddleboarding a Try Despite Rough Seas

3:30pm – Tara hitches a ride on the gear bed of a kayak.  Despite her petite size, we are riding a little low, making it look like a scene from “Shallow Hal.”

5:00pm – Wet dogs and humans retire to the campsite “kitchen” for appetizers, followed by delicious cocktails, dinner, and cobbler.  The dogs are definitely begging for scraps!

Sorry dogs, this chow's for humans only!

6:00pm – Clean up crew is called in.  Susan steps in as drill sergeant, complete with a whip (built using campsite materials thanks to Patrick, our resident MacGyver.)   No one’s getting out of line here!

"Ba-Bam!"

7:00pm – Karaoke time!  Lindsey opens the show with “These [Grip Trex] Boots Are Made for Walking.”

These Boots Are Made for Karaoke!

7:05pm – Karaoke over.  Machine blew a fuse.  Hmmm…What to do?  How about we experiment with dry ice?  The Question: Just how long will dry ice steam in a Bivy Bowl™?

(Note: This Experiment is not covered under our "Warranty Replacement")

8:15pm – The Ruff Wear Pack begins to “howl at the moon”.  A few sneak away for an evening nap.  Even Ripley joins in on the fun by helping herself to a cocktail hidden under a camp chair.  Cinder almost becomes cinders when her leash is singed by the campfire.

Howling at the Moon

11:00pm – Will and Jesse capsize their canoe during a late night paddle.

Canoe Operator Error?

Very Late (or Early the next Morning) – Night owls head to their tents, tee pees, and hammocks.  Sorority house shuts down for the evening.

Friday, July 23

7:00am – “Good morning sunshine!”

8:00am –  “Lindsey, you’re on server duty!  Get up!”  Where did that whip go?

8:10am – Chelsea declares that despite overwhelming evidence, she did not wet her pants, but rolled over on the bite valve of her pack in her sleep.  Hence the large wet spot on her pants.

8:15am – Mmmmm… crepes.  How did we get Martha Stewart on our retreat? Lucky us.

9:30am – Playtime!  Water is like glass today.  Everyone gives their paddleboard and rowing skills another try with more success.  Dogs make it on to boards this time for a relaxing paddle around the lake.

Tara Shows Off Her Skills

12:00pm – Lunch and games.  Team A utilizes Team B’s progress to win.  But the object wasn’t to win??  Darn!

2:00pm – Back at Ruff Wear Headquarters!  Thanks everyone for making this such a fun event!

Patrick Packs Up the Whip 'Till Next Year

job title: Lord of Dogtown

breed: Jack Russell Terrier

responsibilities: entertaining the Ventura Beach locals with his surf act.  Buddy rides tandem and solo; on short boards, long boards, boogie boards, and skim boards—if it floats, he can ride it!

achievements: this surf-riding canine has appeared on several pages of “The Dog’s Guide to Surfing” and has made appearances in Sports Illustrated for Kids, The New York Times, The London Sun, and the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

favorite ruff wear gear: Buddy “hangs ten” (or 20) in his Ruff Wear Big Eddy Float Coat™.

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