The heat here is really making me sick!! Not kidding!

[Kirsten]

There were finally some thunderstorms, and rain, so the air is actually a bit cooler. Even though I didn't manage to get all the muggy air out of my apartment, it's more bearable now, and today, our office had "only" 85°F instead of 100°! LOL

But they say the heat will be back this weekend, so I think I'll enjoy these slightly cooler temperatures as long as they last.

Kelly, good for you that you finally got AC installed at work! And I'm glad that CiCi was there to care for poor Noah!

Lizzi, usually we don't have these wooden things; like you said, only the very old houses have them. I have only curtains, but I think I need to come up with something else to keep the heat outside. We have blinds in our office, but once the heat is inside the builing, they don't help much...

Kirsten

[MajesticCollies]

Kirsten,
My Mother recently recieved a letter from my cousins in Germany. They too are complaining of the heat. They live in OLmstat? Does that sound right. My other Cousin lives in Phmgstat? It be much easier if they made the spelling easier. lol
Anyhow, I sympathize with you. I am a production Supervisor in the Nations largest Independant Bakery and we have 14 ovens that are 300 feet long, so I know what your dealing with for my Deptment has no AC.

[catland]

Is it getting better yet?

I don't really have any suggestions that haven't been mentioned yet - I knew of the cold water or ice on the wrists.

Also, I know general rules are to try to avoid caffeine or alcholol. Also, do you like spicy foods at all? Hot, spicy foods that cause you to sweat more actually help to cool you down.

[GreyhoundGirl]

You could move to canada. Just Joking. ( If you do, stop by my place )

You could... Um.... shower in really cold water and wash your face a lot. And... put a wet towel over yourself. Um.... Or.... Go to a public pool often...

What do the other people in your town do ?

[RedHedd]

Is it getting better yet?

It is here - Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! I LOVE San Francisco's natural air conditioning - our wonderful fog. It feels absolutely delicious now

[Catty1]

Okay - short of blinds and wooden shutters (just spelled that with an "i"! )

Aluminum foil! COVER your windows with it, shiny side out.

I bet that'll help by a few degrees!

hugs!

[caseysmom]

It is here - Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! I LOVE San Francisco's natural air conditioning - our wonderful fog. It feels absolutely delicious now

Yes the San Francisco is wonderful, just north of san francisco in bodega bay is my favorite place in the whole world...the weather the ocean...too bad I could only afford a shack there.

[Russian Blue]

I can relate Kirsten since the heat and humidity is killing me! I never really noticed the humidity before but these last two summers have been bad. Plus the humidity is bringing some scary weather. Within the last month, there were two mini-tornadoes that touched down just 20 minutes north of me and a funnel cloud was spotted 20 minutes east of my location. This is not normal for the Toronto area.We're renovating a century old house and do not have air conditioning so we really feel it. We've closed off the second floor of the house since it's too hot.

I've been offline since I've had constant migrains recently. This week they are forcasting more humidity which will make the temperature feel like 40°C. I'm ready for fall/winter.

[Catty1]

Putting the foil up shiny side out reflects the sun AWAY from the place. I am thinking, with more sun deflected...the temp inside has to ease off a bit.

Doesn't cost much to try it.

and a thought....for a few hours in the evening....when it MIGHT be a TAD cooler...is there a place you can put your fan (preferably higher up) so it is blowing the hotter inside air OUTDOORS?

That's why warehouses have those exhaust fans WAAAY up in the ceiling, in the peak of the wall where the wall meets the ceiling. The hotter air is at the top, and the fan removes it outdoors.

If you have a fan that will fit in part of a window, that would be good...and keep some air moving as well...

I'd say keep the foil on the windows for two days(including two nights) then you will know if there is a difference.

I am just trying to think of things here - the heat there is horrible. If you have sunlight coming into your place, it can't hurt to try blocking it.

[RedHedd]

Yes the San Francisco is wonderful, just north of san francisco in bodega bay is my favorite place in the whole world...the weather the ocean...too bad I could only afford a shack there.

{{{{ waves }}}} Hi neighbor! Yes, paradise is expensive and we're so lucky to live here.

[RedHedd]

Put Farrusko in the bathtub with the water running at his favorite rate of trickle and put a few ice cubes in there to melt and cool him down. Watch him carefully for signs of dehydration. I used Kirsten's tip of rubbing Mitzi down with a cool, dampened washcloth during our heat wave. She LOVED it and then aired herself out in front of the fan for more cooling. Both of my cats were eating less during the heat and were more lethargic, but I don't think they stopped altogether.

[RedHedd]

what are the signs of dehydration on a Cat?

I'm not really sure. I know when we were going through our heat wave, Mishi was actually sweating at one point (I didn't know cats could sweat!), he felt extremely warm and his nose was warm and very dry. I put him in the tub and he seemed to perk up after cooling down a bit.

I know others on this board or a vet probably could answer that question better than I can.

[Catty1]

Lift up the skin on the back of his neck and let go. If it falls back into place right away, he's ok. If it stays up, or returns slowly to its original position, then he's dehydrated.

Try the wet washcloth. Will a water bowl and some treats fit under the bed?

[Catty1]

Would it be easier if you held a BOWL? LOL Sounds like another human-training session!

But I am glad to hear he is not dehydrated.

hugs!

[Catty1]

Richard just posted this in Cat General. I think #9 suits Farrusko!

Ed’s tips for being a cool cat during the hot weather.

1. Cool tile floors.

2. Sleep on your back with your legs open.

3. sleep on your stomach with your legs open

4. Wait until your dad moves, then grab his seat in front of the fan.
Snarl and growl if you are moved from that spot, after all, they left it.

5. Find a nice plastic bag to nap on.

6. Conserve energy-sleep all day, play all night.

7. Avoid all contact with your hot parents.

8. Walk don’t run, to your food dish.

9. Disappear into the closet, cabinet or favorite dark spot
P.S. This may cause your mom or dad to overheat.

10. Offer your parents a cool drink, but then remind them you do not have opposable thumbs. They will feel sorry that you don’t and pour you a cool drink.