I was a little humiliated...

[Cinder & Smoke]

... we decided to leave him in the van ...

1. He had a huge bowl of ice water
2. We left the ignition running with the fan on
3. The windows were open
4. the van was half in the shade (it was 80 degrees out)
5. I kept checking back on him every 10-15 minutes ...

I found Mark, and we sat down to eat lunch in the shade ...

Better safe than sorry!!!!!!!

I dunno ... but all things considered ...
I have to think Malone might have been a Happier (and Safer) Kampur
if he'd stayed Home.

Breathing in 80 degree air doesn't offer very much cooling power.

I collect some pretty UN-happie *glares* ( )from Klipp & Klopp when they get
told they'd better *wait here* whilst I hop in the Bus and zip off on errands;
but I don't have to *worry* about them doing a melt-down in the Bus
while I'm ditty-boppin around in Wally's air conditioned emporium.

[Rachel]

I agree with Phred. You really don't realize just how hot these vehicles can get regardless of cracked window, bowls of water, etc. I once had a dog in the car and the temperature was not hot at all outside (more like warm) but the sun was shining. I decided to stay with her instead of going into the store with my husband. It wasn't more than a few minutes before I was extremely uncomfortable and had to open the windows wide and even the doors. I'll never forget that close call and basically I don't take my dogs with me if we would need to stop and leave them in the car during any of the warm months.

If you left the windows wide open, Malone could have escaped or someone could have entered the vehicle and removed him. I'm glad you relayed this story because it shows how easy it is to make a mistake with a precious family member.

[Cookiebaker]

I'm sorry but I feel the need to defend myself here and my actions. Maybe what you didn't catch in my original post was that I WAS responsible. I checked on Malone on THREE separate occasions all within a little less than 45 minutes. He was NOT even panting. In fact, he was laying down and sleeping, the essence of a happy comfortable pup. It was COMFORTABLE in the van. I SAT in there WITH HIM for several minutes. I would NEVER put my dog at risk. Yes, it was 80 degrees out, but the wind was cold, and I was comfortable in short sleeves and a sweater...this IS New England after all.

Please don't make me look like a bad doggy parent for taking my dog with me. Thank you.

[Jessika]

If I had been in the same situation, I probably would have either left to go back home or at least dropped the dog off.

I think the cops handled it well though, considering it probably could have been more embarrassing as someone had mentioned if they'd have been like "Will the owner of a [VEHICLE] with their dog inside please come to the booth" or whatever, you know? Well... idk I guess it seems more embarrassing since they used your name, but I'm pretty sure most of the people there would have known your name to put it to your face to think "omg those are the people that were called over the loud speaker to go to the booth!!"

How long were you at the festival?

EDIT: I left my car on with the fan running once while I was at school for kennel on a weekend and had Jamie with me.... went to check on her after 30 or so minutes to find the car was blowing hot air and my car battery had died

[shepgirl]

Sounds like the dog was pretty comfy to me. Ice water, fan running with open windows. If the dog would have been distressed it would have been panting and drooling and not sound asleep.
Glad you have vigilant cops around though , some people might not have had water and running fan for their dogs. I think they handled everything well, no need for embarassment.