Pets & Water Safety With temperatures topping 100 degrees it is officially time to cool off. Summer time is time to get to the pool or lake for relief and fun in the sun. While we all know that water safety is crucial for ourselves and especially for children, it’s also important to keep our pets safe around water as well. “The good news is that all pets instinctively know how to swim,” says Dr. Mark Stickney, Director of General Surgery Services at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “However, it is still important that you monitor them and watch for any hazards they may encounter.” Although pools can be a great way for both pets and owners to cool off, they can be harmful if not used and monitored properly. “Dogs will usually self-regulate when they need to stop swimming, but if they are in the pool and they don’t know where the steps are or are unable to get up them then it can become a problem,” notes Stickney. “This may mean that you not only have to...