I was a little humiliated...

[Miss Z]

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

Because once upon a time the members of this forum were like a family and a bit more understanding and comforting than what is being displayed in this thread.

I'm a bit surprised by the rather vehement repsonses to those voicing their concerns. No-one was being deliberately rude or hateful. The topic of leaving dogs in cars is highly controversial, and as Grace says, everyone should be aware that some Pet Talkers will disagree with the action that was taken.

I do not doubt Cookiebaker is a very responsible dog owner and Malone was fine. I'm glad the situation was resolved and that the police were doing their job well.

[Pam]

(((Hugs))) to you Anna. All of us here know you so well and know that you would NEVER put Malone in a dangerous situation. I guess the positive way to look at this particular situation is that a cop was "on the ball" in trying to find Malone's owner, although if he had consulted Pet Talk first he would have known beyond a shadow of a doubt that Malone was in excellent care.

Grace, I think Anna just wanted us all to learn from her situation. Not everyone knows that we are all responsible pet owners and I am happy there are those out there looking for pets in trouble. Of course Malone was not one of them. Let's hope that every time a dog is found in a car on a summer day that there is someone there to notice and get help if needed.

[shais_mom]

Because once upon a time the members of this forum were like a family and a bit more understanding and comforting than what is being displayed in this thread.

Apparently so, it's not always like that anymore.

I dunno, I disagree. B/c people have been arguing on this forum since I joined. About one thing or the other.
I think dogs in cars is a hot topic just like declawing cats. I take Keegan with me a LOT and always make sure she has ice water. She is a hot dog, she is always panting, once spring starts I don't think she stops panting until November. To see her in the back of a car with all the precautions taken that Anna did she would still be panting and someone would think she is in distress when she isn't. I've left her in the car before with the windows up and the AC on full blast and she was fine. The other day at the pawsfest, I had to go to the bathroom, and no one was there to hold her, and the stalls at the park are too small for her to be in there with me, so I gave her some water, left the window down and ran to the bathroom. Granted it wasn't hot that day, and in the wind it was down right chilly to my skin. She was fine.
I see Anna's point and I see Grace's point. Malone wasn't in distress, but it is good that the police were involved, it wasn't too many years ago that a police dog died, b/c his handler did exactly what I did, left him in the car with the AC on.
Sometimes, as pet owner's we are d**ned if we do and d**ned if we don't. You shouldn't have your pet in the car in the summer time when its hot, you shouldn't have it in the car in the winter time when its too cold, so what are you supposed to do??

And quite frankly, if someone else's dog is saved from dying a horrible death in a hot car b/c Anna and Mark were called on the carpet at a festival, then the embarrassment was entirely worth it, and I'm sure that Anna would agree.

[boomersooner]

Bottom line.....Malone is fine....his owners would never do anything to purposely put him in harm...they love him too much for that.....glad the police did care to be concerned for his welfare....I think some of this is situational, too. Here in Dallas, it is always so hot in the summer, I couldn't do what someone in a cooler environment might be able to do. (and I know it gets hot in the northeast, but the chances of having a cooler day are more than the chances here) I've lived here all of my life so I'm not of the mindset to ever leave one of my dogs in a car just because it is too hot. I think good judgment and common sense are always needed every minute of the day for our children, our pets, and ourselves. Malone you are a sweetheart!!