Thomas Garcia: Temperatures have been extreme for everyone

Thomas-Garcia

"Hot" is an understatement when it comes to the description of the recent temperatures we in Quay County have been enduring.

With my parents living in Nara Visa, I often worry if they are staying cool enough during these hot days.

Then I remember that a family friend and I helped install the swamp cooler at my parents' house in May. This, of course, was under the supervision of my dad. If you know my dad, then you know it was a most interesting experience.

Even though the swamp coolers are not favored by many in heat like this and for those in high-humidity areas, it has worked OK for my parents the past 30 years.

I often call my parents just to make sure they are staying cool and out of the heat and if their two dogs have plenty of water. They too have called me to inquire if I am staying out of the heat and more importantly are my two cats staying cool.

I can help but laugh when my parents and I get off topic and start talking about what is really important the well being of our pets. To us and I’m sure many other our pets are like family.

My dad has a habit of feeding my cats, Brownie and Toby, food they do not need. Sausage, fried eggs and the occasional beef stew are among some of the things my dad likes to put in their food bowls.

Mom, well, she is the treat giver, most of the time she is there at Temptation treats time. I’m actually glad when she and Dad distribute the treats together. Lord knows if it was just my dad giving them treats, I’d need a new bag after every visit.

This high heat has put some stress on my cats since it is often early in the morning when they can’t see to well that I open the door. The door normally closes around 9 when I check back on them from work.

Lately it is too hot to leave the door open for them to enjoy the outside world. They lay on cool surfaces like the coffee table or book shelf and when I come home they run to the door for a quick peek at what is going on outside.

I know a lot of people have outside animals and have been making sure their water bowls are full and they have some sort of shade to rest in during the day.

I also have been placing a bowl of water and food outside in the shade out back for the stray cats that come around. The other day, one of them was lying on the concrete patch out back because it was still cool and shaded from the sun.

The cat lifted its head and gave me a slight nod as if to say "Thanks for the food and water. You can go."

I often worry about the animals that are outside during this heat. There are many of them that probably have a hard time finding water and stick to what shade they can find during the heat of the day.

I know I don’t like to eat right away when I’ve been out in the heat. So I can imagine that they don’t venture out for food until its cooler. That being anywhere from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., lately.

If you are putting out water for strays, as I do, you might consider placing some ice cubes in the water.

They won't last for long in this heat but from what I have seen, the strays really appreciate a cool drink in this outrageous summer heat.

Thomas Garcia is a senior writer at the Quay County Sun. He can be reached at [email protected]