But what is a backdoor adventure?  Backdoor adventures are quick, close-to-home adventures that can be done at lunch, before or after work, or on weekends.  Backdoor adventures such as trail running, biking, hiking–even yoga or long-boarding–are fun, easy, and require little equipment.

The advantage of integrating the outdoors into your day-to-day lifestyle has a variety of benefits.  It’s no wonder these activities are taking the outdoor industry by storm; the advantages are clear:

1. They have a short learning curve. Many backdoor adventures can be self-taught and don’t require lessons, reducing the barrier to entry.
2. They are inexpensive. Backdoor activities are generally close to home and require little gear or equipment.
3. Even the dog can come. Because these activities usually require less skill, they are appropriate for the entire family—dog, children, grandparents, too!
4. It can be integrated into part of your lifestyle. Often referred to as “gateway activities”, backdoor adventures easily become part of a regular fitness routine.  In fact, those who participate in backdoor activities generally participate in a higher variety of outdoor activities, and more often.

So grab your yoga mat, hiking shoes, and of course…dog leash, and head outside!  What are you waiting for?

_______________________________

Resources:

http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/08/14/summer-of-staycations-iowans-vacationing-a-little-closer-to-home

http://www.moneynews.com/Economy/US-Labor-Day-Travel/2010/08/25/id/368376

http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2d16787766037d751d74&ls=fdcc15707562007f761c757461&m=ff001672776306&l=fe6115767c65077c7d15&s=fe5e11797761047f7011&jb=ffcf14&t=

Sun Worshiper

Five ways to make your sun seeker’s adventure more enjoyable:

1. Apply sunscreen to the nose and other exposed areas.  Yes, dogs can get sunburn too!
2. Pack along dog boots to protect your dog’s paws from hot terrain.
3. Brush your dog to help with the natural shedding process.
4. Consider shades.  Yes, even dogs can suffer from UV damage to the eyes, and there are companies that make eye protection to shade dogs from the bright sun.
5. Opt for activities close to water so your dog can  cool off mid-adventure.

Shade Seeker

Five ways to make your shade seeker’s adventure more enjoyable:

1. Pack plenty of hydration.  A cool, hydrated mouth is more effective in helping a dog cool down using evaporative panting.
2. Plan your adventures for early morning or evening–when the heat index is the lowest.
3. Try cooling gear such as the Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler™.  This will promote evaporative cooling, creating “artificial sweat” to help cool down your dog.
4. Seek activity at higher elevations.  When the heat gets high, head up for a mountain adventure where the temperature is cooler.
5. Opt for adventures in locations with lots of shade where your dog can take frequent breaks.

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

Certain things can affect your dog’s thirst level: age, food, size, exercise, weather, and medications.

Your dog might be a habitual over-drinker or under-drinker. If so, here are some tips:

The Hydrant

Signs your dog is an over drinker:

• Beautifully moisturized lips (and snout, whiskers, tongue, and jowls)
• Empty toilet

Seeking treatment for their drinking problem:

• Consider purchasing lick bottles, rabbit feeders, or bowls specially designed to slow down water intake.
• Automatic watering bowls are another option.  Or, if you are home all day, manually ration their water rather than letting their water bowl be a free-for-all.
• Fill the bowl up with less water, more often.

The Garden Hose

Signs your dog is an under drinker:

• Lip smacking
• Cotton mouth
• A kiss that feels like you’ve been licked by desert sand

How to get them to loosen up and have a few:

• Praise your dog and give him or her a treat when taking a nose dive into the water bowl.
• Add water to their dry kibble (similar to how we put milk in our cereal).
• Keep water bowl in sight, and in mind.  Placing water near their favorite eating and resting spots will help remind them to hydrate.
• Consider flavoring the water with chicken or beef flavored broth, diluting it more and more until your dog is guzzling only pure h2O.

a.     Named after the Greek God, Canidae, God of Sun and Light

b.      Named after the astrological constellation Siruis, or “Dog Star”

c.      Named after a symptom of heat stroke, which causes humans to pant, similar to that of a dog

___________________________________________________________________

If you guessed “B”, you are correct!

The term “dog days”, often used to describe the hottest days of summer (between July and September in the Northern Hemisphere and January and March in the Southern Hemisphere), stems from the ancient belief that Sirius, or Dog Star, is responsible for the hot, stagnant weather.

The Romans believed Sirius, the brightest star in the Canis Major (Large Dog) constellation, controlled the heat of summer because of its brightness and close proximity to the sun.  Since heat was associated with wine turning sour, dogs turning mad, and man burning with fever, the Romans sacrificed a brown dog at the beginning of the “dog days” season in order to calm the tyranny of “Sirius.” Seems a little far-fetched to us.

Apparently, the Romans never discovered the joys of swimming with a canine companion in the heat of summer!