I was thinking of maybe calling this column, pet hates, summer madness or melted minds, but in the end plumped for Heat Stroke. I have lived in Dubrovnik for 28 years, it has often been an adventure, from experience comes knowledge and we all know that knowledge is power. We learn from mistakes, and I have made a bucket load. And I think it is only fair that I pass on the wisdom from my mistakes so that you don't make them.

Heat Stroke - you wouldn't walk on hot coals so why should your dog?

It is summer in Dubrovnik, and needless to say it is hot, punishingly hot. The Adriatic sun pours down and slowly bakes us all. A friend said just the other day, “it's like living in a crematorium.” That endless sun not only transforms pasty tourists into lobsters but it also fries your pets, more precisely your pet’s feet. “If it is more than 80ºF (27 ºc) out, your doggo is better off at home, preferably with the air conditioning on,” advises Dr. Annie Kwok on Veterinary Emergency Group.

Look, I am a dog owner, or more precisely a multiple dog owner, and I totally get the “if my dog isn't going then neither am I” mindset. However, I am also not going to take my dogs somewhere where they will suffer. That brutal sunshine throughout the whole summer season grills the pavement temperature to levels that eggs can bubble away on. Just imagine walking barefoot on that. That is exactly what your dog is doing! You are burning his feet, he is coming with you because he/she loves you, if dogs had a choice they would be deep in the shade. Dogs love you more than they love themselves, dogs aren't the problem, it's the owners.

I don't think I need to highlight this, but I am going to anyway. A friend and colleague of mine recently had an experience with the cooked Dubrovnik pavements. After coming home from a quick walk the souls of his sandals had literally melted. Hard plastic souls melted, like grilled cheese on a pizza. Now, put your dog in that position.

Unfortunately, I see it every day, both with locals and tourists, poor dogs being pulled over hot coals just so their owners can “have a quick coffee” or “see the sights of the Old City.” The look of pain in their eyes turns my stomach, whilst giggling owners enjoy themselves. And yes I also hear the argument of “not everyone should have pets,” and it's true. But you must have had a lobotomy to walk your dog in the middle of the day in Dubrovnik. There is a reason why our dogs go swimming at 6 in the morning and then at 8 in the evening, and really if you don't see that reason then probably you are one of the cretins walking your dog over the stone streets of the historic Old City. And please know that other people are looking at you thinking you are a cretin, and also feeling sorry that you ever decided to have a dog.

That's the heat stroke for today - I'll be back soon and if you have any tips please contact us, either through social media or here - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About the author

Mark Thomas (aka Englez u Dubrovniku) is the editor of The Dubrovnik Times. He was born and educated in the UK and moved to live in Dubrovnik in 1998. He works across a whole range of media, from a daily radio show to TV and in print. Thomas is fluent in Croatian and this column is available in Croatia on the website – Dubrovnik Vjesnik