I read the following article in About.com about caring for your dogs for those that live in Phoenix (Same type of severe weather that we have in Palm Springs). Most of it is just common sense. But for those of us that are dog lovers, there are some valuable tips offered here:
I receive many questions about living with a dog in the desert. Certainly, many desert area residents have dogs as pets, but living in a region where summer temperatures can be higher than 100 for a good part of the summer means that there are some things you should know to keep your pet happy and healthy.
Things to Know About Having a Dog in the Desert Heat
Dogs in the House
The best situation for your dog would be to have the dog be trained as an indoor pet, where she can keep cool inside the air conditioned house during the hot summer days. Keep the thermostat at a reasonable temperature for your pet.
Dogs in the Yard
If the dog must be kept in the yard during the hot parts of the day in the summer it is absolutely essential that there be a dark, shady place where the dog can escape from the blazing sun. A tree is probably not good enough. A ventilated dog house, or a pen with shade cover, or a covered patio is a must. Make sure that there is adequate shade at all times of the day that the dog is outside.
Dogs and Water
If the dog is outside, make certain that there is a good supply of clean water in a weighted dish (or two in different locations in case one gets knocked over anyway).
Keeping Dogs Cool
Some dogs enjoy water and can keep cool if a misting system is left on during the day, or if there’s a kiddy wading pool for them with a couple of inches of water in it where they can sit to cool off. Keep these in the shade, too. Sitting in a tub of 110 degree water won’t help the dog. Some people I know say that they provide a sandbox with damp sand for the dog. Digging must be allowed in the sandbox–you’ll only frustrate a dog with a sandbox where digging is not permitted!
Dogs in the Pool
If your dog has access to your swimming pool or spa, make sure the dog is trained to get out of the pool. The dog needs to know how to get to the steps. If there are no steps or shallow areas, like in some lap pools, make sure the pool is fenced and locked so the dog can’t get in. Every year puppies and dogs drown in backyard pools because they could jump in, but they couldn’t get out.
Dogs That Swim
Speaking of dogs that love to swim, we know that there are certain breeds that were born to do just that, and they are ever-so-happy cooling off at the beach or at the lake. Here’s the problem–we don’t have a beach in Phoenix, and animals are not allowed in our lakes or canals. Even if they were, you wouldn’t want your dog wading in, or even drinking, the water in our local lakes which are mostly reclaimed water and can easily make your pet very sick. If you have a breed that must play in the water, there is only one place in the Valley where you can take her, and it is in Gilbert.
Walking the Dog in the Summer
Can you walk your dog in the summer? Yes, but it is generally accepted that you should only walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening, about an hour after the sun has gone down. That’s because not only is the temperature high, but the sidewalks will be too hot for the pads of the dog’s paws. They’ll burn. General rule: if the sidewalk is too hot for you to walk barefoot, it is too hot for your dog to walk on. If you choose to walk your dog in the summer, hopefully early or late, bring along water and make frequent water stops for the dog. Don’t take long walks or over-exert in the summer. Consider these walks light exercise.
Dogs and Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is common in dogs. It can happen your own yard, or on a walk. Dogs cool themselves by panting. If panting does not reduce the body temperature the dog will develop heat stroke. Early signs of heat exhaustion include rapid breathing, heavy panting, and salivation. Other signs are fatigue, muscle tremors, and staggering. If you see a dog that is experiencing heat exhaustion, take the dog to a cool, shady place, and apply wet towels or cloths to help cool the dog’s body down. Try to give the dog small amounts of water, and immediately call a vet.
Dogs and the Sun
Dogs get sunburned. Especially dogs with short hair or little hair on some parts of their bodies. Keep them out of the sun.
Hiking with the Dog in the Summer
Like to hike with your dog? Please do it very early in the morning. Carry plenty of water, and make it the easy hike, please.
Dogs Breeds That Don’t Like Heat
Overweight and older dogs will have more difficulty with the heat. As far as breeds are concerned, it is generally accepted that snub-nosed dogs, like boxers, bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus have poor panting mechanisms, and so are more susceptible to being affected by heat. These should be indoor dogs, and should not be kept in the yard during the day. They should spend their days lounging in air conditioned comfort. Dogs with heavy coats can be trimmed for the summer, but not shaved bare or else they’ll have a hard time insulating themselves and will be prone to sunburn and other skin irritations.
Dogs and Summer Exercise
It’s never a good idea to exercise your dog by having him run alongside your bicycle. If for some reason you do this from time to time, please don’t do it in the summer.
Dogs and Trucks
If your dog loves to travel in the back of your pickup, please avoid the temptation. If for some reason you must take your dog with you in the back of your truck, make sure the surface of where the dog has to sit/stand is not metal, and does not absorb heat. Test it. Leave your truck out in the sun for two hours and then go stand in it for 20 minutes in your bare feet (or sit on it with your bare butt!). If it feels hot to you, or it burns the skin right off your body, it feels that way to your dog, too.
Dogs in the Car
I know that Fido loves to ride in the car, too. I’ve never met a dog that didn’t. If you are going to run some errands, and it’s 100 degrees outside, and the dog wants to come along in the car, please do him a favor and leave him home. If for some reason you have to take him along, do not ever leave him in the car without the A/C on. Even with the windows cracked, that car will heat up fast enough to cause brain damage or death in just a few minutes.
Using common sense, and taking some of these tips into account, you should be able to keep a happy healthy pet in our desert climate. If you have specific questions about your breed, contact a local breed club for assistance.
The report states that says Canadians have become the biggest foreign buyers of U.S. real estate. Per the National Association of Realtors, 23% of all foreign national purchases in the US last year from Mar 09 to Mar 2010, were Canadians.
“Although international purchasers from a wide variety of countries are present throughout the United States for a variety of reasons, proximity to the home country and the convenience of air transportation are believed to be important considerations in selecting the buying location,” the study reported.
And really, can we blame them??? Here’s a email I received from one of my Canadian clients in Calgary today, July 13, 2010:
“Our current temperature is 9°C or 48°F – yours is 39°C or 102°F. It’s also pouring rain with brutal winds but, that’s an improvement from the golf ball sized hail and tornado warnings yesterday! Luckily no damage to my car but, lots to many others – knocked out windshields, etc. from the monster hail.”
Seriously? I think I’ll take our 105 degree weather any day!!! (Makes me think twice about complaining about our weather).
Canadians continue to purchase in Palm Springs. A large majority of my buyers this past year, were from all over Canada, as more and more Canadians recognize the good buying opportunities in the US, let alone our good weather here.
Per a recent post on CNN Money, Vacation Home Ownership is on the rise. Per Liz Westman, “Don’t listen to the naysayers. Rentals can cover your second-home costs if you’re careful when you buy and you follow these 3 simple rules.”
In Palm Springs, many people rent out their homes as vacation rentals. The Palm Springs market is a popular destination for many travelers looking to escape, and wanting the comforts of a private home, as opposed to a hotel room. Palm Springs draws from a number of states all over the country, in addition to being only two hours from Orange County, San Diego and Los Angeles. Buying a second home in Palm Springs and renting it out, is a viable option for many.
Per the article, for a successful vacation home rental, here are the three basic tenents:
Vacation homes need to be rented 15 to 17 weeks a year in many areas to break even. This estimate is based on the assumption that one month’s mortgage payment would equal one week’s rental income in the peak season. More expensive homes would need to be rented longer.
Internet advertising is essential. You need to reach the widest possible audience of potential occupants to keep your place solidly rented. The more sites you can post on, the better.
Owners need to cut out the middlemen. Management companies take anywhere from 10% to 60% of rental income, making positive cash flow impossible. Handling rentals and maintenance isn’t that tough, even long distance.
Many of my clients rent out their 2nd homes here in Palm Springs on a part time basis. Let me help you find the perfect 2nd home, and I’ll be happy to share with you my knowledge of what is involved with making it a successful vacation rental.
I found this interesting article about Palm Springs real estate today:
The Palm Springs real estate market, along with the rest of the Coachella Valley real estate market, seems to be edging towards recovery, although it will be gradual and difficult. According to a May 14, 2010 article in the Record Gazette, “In the year since Beaumont initiated an economic stimulus plan to spur development, there appears to be evidence that its incentives are working. While the majority of Riverside County saw the number of permits for construction of new single family homes drop 10.6 percent last year, Beaumont boasted an increase of 16.7 percent over its 2008 volume, according to statistics presented at the May 4 city council meeting.” The article by David James Heiss continued to note that “In 2009, there were 350 permits for single family residential units – the highest number of any city in the country, followed by Meifee, which issued 325, and Temecula, with 323.”donovantalk.com, Palm Springs real estate market | DonovanTalk.com, May 2010
Ran across this in the March Palm Springs Life’s site- (Republished from the August 1964 Issue of Palm Springs Life Magazine), a series of interviews with architect, William Cody-
These are some of my favorite “timeless” quotes noted in the article:
“”It is sickening,” he said, “that we are plagued with pseudo Roman medal-stamp columns, large imitation wine jugs and Grecian villas and neo (and sub-neo) classic design better fitted for a Hollywood back-lot ‘B’ picture.”
“Architecture must guide the future of our culture, a three-dimensional sculptured concept conditioned by proportion, the secret of great building. Father to the arts, it embraces man’s finest endeavors and, since the inception of time, has inspired progress and served to formulate a better way of life”
”Fine architecture is not a product of automation. Great talent in any field is limited to the very few. Therefore, some of today’s buildings are bad examples of contemporary design. The demand for talent exceeds the supply. This is unfortunate because it has bred mediocrity. It is appalling that 80 percent of the buildings constructed in this country are designed without benefit of architects. The construction industry, largest in the nation, is lagging for behind the advances in other fields.”
“Good contemporary architecture is a world wide expression, conditioned by the geographic location, politics and economics of the various countries throughout the world. Here, on the desert, it should flourish.”
The Sunmor neighborhood consists of a collection of modernist atomic ranch style homes constructed in the late 50′s & 60′s, by the Alexander Construction Company and local builder, Robert Higgins.
Not far from Palm Springs, can be found the latest design by prefab pioneer, Jennifer Siegal of the Office of Mobile Design whohas ventured inland to install its latest design, the Prefab Showhouse. Formerly located in Venice, CA where it served as OMD’s showroom for inquisitive clients, the diminutive modular maison was just recently moved from its coastal location to be installed in the desert community of Joshua Tree where it will be the new home to Hollywood film producer Chris Hanley.
The 720 sf, 1 bedroom home is located on a generous Joshua Tree-sized lot of 80 acres. Besides solitude, tranquility, and expansive views of the surrounding desert, the home offers the very best in new technologies and luxurious details. The central kitchen/bath core divides and separates the sleeping space from the public eating/living space in a compact assemblage of form and function. The steel frame structure was trucked into the site and simply set on a temporary foundation.
With this desert pied-a-terre, OMD proves that ideas of prefabrication, flexibility, portability and compact spaciousness can be combined to make off-the-grid living perfectly comfortable
Just got my tickets today!! I’ve been wanting to see this house since I was a kid, visiting Palm Springs. Here’s a great opportunity to check it out, and to join the Palm Springs Museum and the Arts and Design Council.
The Arts and Design Council is holding its anual ADC Fundraiser – (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Saturday, March 20)
This is a rare opportunity to enjoy the spectacular Hope House at a cocktail reception with fellow ADC members. The enormous roof, which echoes the surrounding hills of Southridge, hovers over an expansive patio and garden area where Lautner’s dramatic architecture can be experienced. Invitations will be mailed to ADC members.
Fundraiser
ADC Fundraiser at the Bob & Dolores Hope House, designed by John Lautner
$200 per person (ADC members only)
To make reservations, please call Brooke Devenney at 760.322.4818 or email bdevenney@psmuseum.org
