Theodore and I are like the Goldilocks of our respective species. We like our climate JUST RIGHT.  Extremes set us on edge and when it comes to weather, heat is our mortal enemy.

We like to consider ourselves mentally and even physically hardy but summer’s sultriest days in the city disabuse us of that notion.

And the truth is, with my black hair and Theodore’s ebony fur, we’re heat magnets that wilt faster than berries on a vine.  That’s why you’ll often find us skulking about in the shadows in the early and latter parts of the day, while the sun cuts a blazing path up, down and across the city’s avenues.

So it was with glee, and I mean no less than that word implies, that we opened the package from Ruffwear for which we’d been waiting with anticipation. Two weeks earlier, we’d communicated with Ruffwear’s wonderfully enthusiastic Director of Marketing (and big time dog lover) Susan Strible, who offered to send Theodore a Swamp Cooler jacket to try out after learning about Theo’s tendency to overheat and his commitment to unbiased reviews. It arrived at just the right time, when The Melting Pot that is NYC started to simmer, the pavement as hot as a griddle, with no signs of abating.

The Swamp Cooler is a light and flexible, 3-layer jacket that uses natural evaporative cooling to keep your pooch comfortable. Here’s the breakdown from Ruffwear’s website:

- Top air-mesh layer generates evaporation, releasing heat.
– Middle layer absorbs and stores the cool water.
– Bottom layer cools the dog.
– Light color reflects sunlight and ultraviolet rays for added sun protection.
– Auto-lock buckles adjust and hold for a custom fit.

Ruffwear: Palisades Pack, Swamp Cooler, and K-9 Overcoat (1st Generation.)

Ruffwear has a reputation for creating innovative and meticulously designed products. Theodore’s Service Dog Packs, winter coat and dog boots are all Ruffwear products so our expectations for the Swamp cooler were high, and a stroll up the newly opened Section 2 of The High Line Park**, on a particularly hot and muggy day (temps settling in the high 80′s) provided the perfect opportunity for The Swamp Cooler’s trial run.

The High Line Park, Section 2

To activate the jacket, first it must be soaked in cold water, a task that Theodore’s Other Favorite Human gamely assumed…

Excess water must then be squeezed out…

And then the jacket goes over Theodore’s head. The chest panel wraps under the front legs, and the buckles meet on the dog’s sides.

And now Young Theodore is ready to go!

* If your pooch isn’t keen on wearing dog packs or coats in general, try conditioning the dog to the coat, indoors first, a few days before using it outdoors. Make wearing the jacket a party for him and he’ll look forward to putting it on. Read more about how to do this at the bottom of this post.

Normally, when the mercury surges past 80 degrees, we avoid outdoor activities all together during the afternoon, as Theo tuckers out, panting and dragging his feet, after a mere 15 minutes. But with Theodore’s Swamp Cooler on, we hoped to traverse the entire mile-long stretch of the innovative High Line elevated park, including the new Section 2 which connects West Chelsea with Hells’ Kitchen. (Click HERE to read more from our blog about the wonders of the High Line.)

30th Street Stairway, The High Line Park

Fresh flowers in bloom at The High Line Park's Section 2

So, we set out, still being careful to walk in the shade when possible, to avoid the paw-burning-pavement. Theodore is seven years old now, and I notice that he’s more sensitive to sound and the elements in general, but he’s no less anxious to sniff, meet new folks and explore. And with The Swamp Cooler at work, Theodore seemed lighter on his feet and more alert.  He was still panting quite a bit, so we made sure to stop frequently for water breaks.

What’s great about the jacket is that its light color and mesh construction are definitely a boon for a dog like Theodore whose natural coat so readily absorbs the sun’s rays. After twenty minutes into our walk, I lay my hand on the top of the coat, and it felt slightly warm, but not hot, which is how Theo’s black fur normally feels when he’s out and about on a sizzling summer day. But when I slid my hand underneath the jacket to check the temp of Theo’s fur, it was positively cool and comfy!

Brilliant!

Here’s Theo lounging in front of his favorite High Line vendor, Peoples Pops, the fresh fruit popsicle stand. The shave ice master gifted Theo with his very own, hand-shaved snowball which was licked into submission with great speed.

Good Boy Theo!

Theo & his Shave Ice Snowball from the folks at People's Pops.

When it’s super hot, the jacket tends to dry quickly. In twenty or thirty minutes, it may need a re-activiation, as Theo’s did. So, we stopped at a nearby fountain to water Theo and took some time to re-wet the jacket as well.  We hand-ladled water all over The Swamp Cooler soaking it thoroughly down to the bottom layer, once again. We wet his belly too, for good measure, then continued our stroll.

More than a few folks wondered aloud why a dog would be wearing a jacket in the middle of a sweltering July afternoon, but when we explained that The Swamp Cooler keeps Theodore cool and protects him from heat prostration, their puzzlement turned to fascination, and Theo was happy to model the jacket’s features for his new friends.

As we neared the end of the High Line’s new Section 2, we took a detour to explore The Lot (A public music/activity/and food truck plaza) and AOL’s Rainbow City, (an inflatable wonderland) below the 30th Street stairwell.

AOL's Rainbow City, below the High Line Park at 30th Street.

It had started to drizzle…it’s a relief, the oppressive heat mixed with a humid rain… and Theo embraced the brief shower as he lay his belly down in a cool puddle, while surveying the humans playing with the enormous inflated balloons around him.

As Theo lounged about, it occurred to me that we had just completed the mile-long walk through the park, and though he was panting as expected, he was well hydrated and the jacket was still doing its job of keeping our furry guy cool. Over two hours would pass before we made it back home, and Theo remained comfortable throughout.

The thing to remember about this jacket is that, while ingenious and well designed, it won’t do the thinking for us. On dangerously hot days, it’s still possible for a dog to suffer from heat stroke or heat prostration while wearing it. It may sound obvious, but we’ll mention it for good measure: you’d never want to leave the dog in your car on a hot day simply because he’s wearing The Swamp Cooler. It’s a wonderful jacket but sadly, it’s not central air conditioning so it’s still crucial to monitor the dog at all times.

But if used intelligently, the jacket will allow your dog to spend time outdoors with increased comfort and protection from the harsh elements.

If you:

Monitor your dog consistently.

Water him frequently.

Repeatedly re-wet the jacket before it becomes completely dry.

And give him ample time to rest in a shady place when he becomes fatigued, then it’s no longer necessary to leave him at home, alone, with only the air conditioning to keep him company!

And here’s a helpful tip: Remember to hang it and allow it to dry thoroughly after each use in order to keep it fresh and ready to go for the next use. Forget this step and it will turn musty which neither you nor your dog is likely to appreciate.

We love The Swamp Cooler and give it an enthusiastic thumbs up!!

Thanks to the folks at Ruffwear (Susan Strible in particular) for chilling out Theodore and making it possible for him to spend more time outdoors with his favorite humans during the Dog Days of Summer! And thanks to the Friends of The High Line and The City of New York for making the High Line possible. If you’ve not checked out this wonderful park yet, visit the High Line soon, while it’s still in bloom and you’ll see why it’s one of New York City’s most enjoyable and unique attractions.

Stay Cool friends, and we’ll see you again soon!

For more information about how to prevent heat stroke in dogs, click HERE to read an excellent and informative blog post from the Preventive Vet.

* If your dog isn’t keen on wearing coats or packs, try this method for making the process fun!

Feed him his favorite treats when you first bring out the coat, with an enthusiastic verbal introduction/command, ‘Time to Wear Your Jacket!’ and let him sniff it thoroughly. Then put it away.  Later, slip it on, just over his head, for just a few moments, repeating the command with a peppy, fun tone. More treats and more encouragement.  And then the next day, put it on fully, for a few minutes along with a flurry of treats and always, with a bright, happy voice and the command.  Do this again later, keeping it on for a longer stretch of time, with ample treats. Dance around a bit together, making it all a game. And by this time, he’ll most likely welcome the jacket! It comes with treats and silliness after all!

RUFFWEAR:

The Swamp Cooler. $49.95 at Ruffwear and other retailers.

Website: www.Ruffwear.com

THE HIGH LINE PARK:

Website: www.TheHighLine.org

** Unfortunately, at this time, only legitimate Service Dogs are allowed at The High Line