Just don’t do it. I’ve blogged in the past about the perils of keeping a dog in the car on a hot day. But after just witnessing someone rollerblading with their dog on a hot afternoon — well, I guess there’s a need to blog about the perils of exercising a dog on a hot day. So, here it goes.

Dogs get hot. Dangerously hot. They don’t have a special organ or ability to process heat better than we do. The problem is, through this blog, I am preaching to the choir. Most of you seem like educated and concerned pet owners.

So the question becomes: How do I get this information to the people who need it? Partly, with your help. So, here’ some nifty facts to share with pet owners who seem to think their dogs can handle the heat:

• The most dodgy temperatures are not the 90-degree temperatures but the 80s, because we underestimate how overheated our dogs can become.

• Dogs with dark hair, airway disease, smushed noses (like pugs and bulldogs) and obesity issues are particularly vulnerable.

• Exercise in the early morning or evening when the temperature is moderate, provide abundant fresh water.

• Don't make your dog carry his own ball or stick on the walk home as dogs cool off through their mouths.

• A rule of thumb: don't exercise your dog outside if the sum of air temperature and humidity exceeds 150.

If you have any other suggestions, let me know.