Dog walker issues urgent warning after her French Bulldog

Professional dog walker issues urgent warning to owners after her own French Bulldog died from heatstroke after snoozing in the shade in the garden

• Kim Reid, 24, from Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, wants to warn other pet owners
• READ MORE: I’m dog behaviour expert and these are the 5 easiest breeds to train

A professional dog walker has issued a warning to animal lovers after her healthy dog died while snoozing in the shade.

Kim Reid, 24, said she followed guidance to prevent heatstroke but still lost her French Bulldog, Bruno, on May 30 after he spent some time in the garden.

The two-year-old was with Kim’s other dogs, Enzo and Louie, who were playing in the garden, while Bruno found a shady spot to relax.

But he succumbed to heatstroke despite having plenty of water, shade, and access to the house and Kim says she wants to make other dog owners aware of the dangers.

Kim, from Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, said: ‘I had no idea a dog could die when they were simply enjoying an hour in the garden in the shade. I’ve worked with dogs all of my life, I have worked in rescue and rehoming and I’m a professional dog walker.

Dog lover Kim Reid from Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone shared her heartbreak after her two-year-old French Buddog Bruno died of a heatstroke on May 30

Bruno had been relaxing in the garden and enjoying the sun when he suffered a heatstroke and died last week 

‘The day Bruno died was warm but not very hot, and I was off work and was working in the house while my three dogs were outside enjoying the garden. 

‘They had access to the house, they had plenty of cool water, I was checking on them regularly and Bruno was enjoying the shade while Enzo and Louie played with each other.

‘But then when I went out to check on them, I found Bruno lying dead. I thought at first he was just sleeping but he was gone and nothing I could do would bring him back. 

‘I was so shocked, I started screaming and the neighbours ran to see what was wrong. I just couldn’t believe it.

‘I took Bruno into the sitting room and held him in my arms. After an hour or more I thought to take his temperature and even at that stage it was sky high. He had died of heatstroke, he had died while lying in the shade in our garden.

Kim revealed that the dog suffered a heatstroke while she was working around her house. 

She said he had plenty of water and shade in the garden and had been coming in and out of the house as normal, before succumbing to the heat while snoozing in the shade.  

‘The signs that he might be struggling were in no way obvious, but looking back now maybe he seemed a bit more lazy than usual? Maybe he was panting a bit more than usual?’

The dog lover added that this behaviour was ‘nothing out of the ordinary’ for the pet, who had always loved to laze around the house and would pant often. 

Kim is a professional dog walker and said Bruno had plenty of shade and water in the garden, but still succumbed to the heat 

The heartbroken dog walker said she wanted to warn other pet owners of the dangers of heatstroke this summer 

Kim warned other dog lovers to keep an eye on their pets during the summer to prevent them from experiencing the same fate as Bruno

‘There is so much online about not walking dogs in the heat, but I never knew just a bit of sun out in the garden could be fatal to dogs. Brachycephalic dog breeds like French Bulldogs are more likely to suffer heatstroke than any other dog and I knew that.

‘But I just didn’t know how quickly it can affect them even if they are not obviously overheating, and now I know it can be fatal in as little as 15 minutes without any warning.’

Heartbroken Kim said she wished she had known about how dangerous heatstroke can be.  

‘Hindsight is a great thing but it wasn’t enough to save Bruno. I am devastated beyond words. Anyone who knew Bruno would say he was the most relaxed and well-behaved dog you would ever meet,’ she said. 

‘He didn’t deserve what happened and I will forever feel guilty that maybe I should have seen something or known something was wrong,’ she added. 

‘This has been the most upsetting heartbreaking lesson in my life but as upsetting as it is I hope Bruno’s story can save some other doggies from the same fate. 

‘Please, please, watch your fur babies in this weather, 15 minutes is enough to cause irreversible damage and a lifetime of pain.’ 

Source: Read Full Article