Holly DeLeon

September is officially Responsible Pet Ownership Month. Summer has a way of loosening everyone's routines as the days run long, the leash walks get shorter, and somewhere around the tenth heat advisory, "responsible pet ownership" starts to feel like a phrase for other people, the kind who color-code their dog's meal schedule and never once forget to trim nails. This month is a good time to take that phrase back for the rest of us.

August in the Texas Hill Country is no joke. As temperatures hover around triple digits, staying cool becomes a top priority, especially for senior dogs. Just like humans, aging pups feel the extreme heat much more intensely. Dehydration sets in earlier, their hearts work harder, and their energy wanes much faster under the unrelenting sun. Here are five gentle, practical ways to keep your older pup cool, engaged, and thriving through the dog days of summer.

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