Looking for a reason to celebrate?

Summer is almost over. A woman in Cave Creek called summer 2007 a “disgusting, sickening, onslaught of 110 degrees of horror.” She claims her poodle was “too hot to make doo‑doo” and refused to step out of air conditioning, consequently getting a life‑threatening bladder infection. Hey, I’m not making this up! This may give new meaning to the saying dog days of summer. I’m no expert on doo‑doo, but I can understand wanting to stay in the house.

A newcomer to the area e‑mailed to say that one July day, while walking barefoot to his pool, he burned the soles of his feet so badly that he couldn’t wear shoes for a week. This is exactly why flip‑flops were invented. He also said he “fried” his hands just grabbing the steering wheel of his car after it was parked outside for a few hours. Weren’t gloves designed for this very purpose? He claims that no one prepared him for such a harsh, inhospitable, dangerous place. Welcome to the Valley of the Burning Sun.

A woman in Anthem believes the only way to walk her dog “safely” in the summer months is to put little booties on his feet to protect his pads. She said her dog would absolutely not run in the heat (Who would?) and fattens up every summer. Have you been on a scale lately? Scorching weather, inactivity and too much ice cream isn’t a recipe for fitness and health. Thank goodness autumn is near. There are a million reasons to love this place, but sometimes the weather isn’t one of them.

Now with summer just about over, life is getting better. I was driving in Desert Hills and watched three horses running and chasing each other. It was a beautiful sight. Children are out playing ball in the parks (and in the streets). Golfers are back at it, too, looking peppy and having fun. ATVs, horses and bikes are being ridden, and even couch potatoes are venturing into the Great Outdoors. Physicians say that people who have been sedentary all summer are suddenly becoming more physically active and injuring themselves, so be careful. It may take some time for your body to get used to walking out to get the mail at a fast clip.

Autumn brings the promise of cool things to come–leisurely strolls, ballgames, breezes, less sweat and more energy. Ninety‑degree days are positively thrilling. It holds the possibility of walking barefoot without having to be rushed to the local hospital burn unit. Little doggies can go out to make doo‑doo, and old dogs can dream of running, jumping and feeling young again.

Perhaps summer isn’t a season, but merely an inconvenience. As one reader put it, “October and autumn is the time to remember why we moved here, why we stay here and why we love it here.”  Until next week, kick off your shoes and enjoy the cool!