This blog post is sponsored by Primo Water! Primo Water generously donates a Primo Water Dispenser With Pet Station to each of our animal rescues of the month! Find Primo Water near you!
The weather has been brutally hot for us this year during our travels. True, I lived in Florida for most of my life and I am used to summer heat. But when you have dogs, the heat proves to be a real challenge in many ways.
My dogs love the water. Brickle is definitely a beach dog.
Digby prefers creeks and rivers.
But the last few months have caused us to stop us in our tracks when it comes to cooling off in that innocent looking lake, creek or stream. Is it safe to let my dogs swim there? And if I have any doubts, is a few hours of fun worth their lives? The answer is a big, barking no.
I’ve never been one to worry about every aspect of traveling with dogs. Ticks, bugs, mud and getting lost come with every territory. We live our lives but with Brickle and Digby’s safety in mind. But we live.
However, the last few months, news article after news article has been everywhere regarding dogs dying from drinking water filled with deadly blue green algae. I really had no idea what it was!
I was pretty upset about this outbreak actually. We arrived at a new campground in North Carolina and it was right on a lake.
I immediately thought how great it would be to let the dogs swim. I didn’t really see any blue green color. But I decided to check online and see if this lake’s water quality was safe. Answer? Nope. It had tested positive for the algae. In the past, I may have thought it to be ok just to dip their paws in the lake if they didn’t drink it. But it was hot. I knew they would be thirsty. And most of all, I hate disappointing them!! So I figured out a plan. I was going to bring lots of water. I would hydrate them before we got near the lake. And I hoped they wouldn’t try to pull me in to drink it. Yes. That’s happened.
So I loaded up so much water from Primo Water that my backpack was unbearable. But losing them because they were thirsty and managed to drink that lake water? Much more devastating! Obviously. Would my plan work? Why do we rely on Primo Water even more than ever? We pretty much don’t know why we didn’t start drinking it long ago.
Primo’s website explains “There are lots of things that make Primo Water awesome, but safety is at the forefront. When you choose Primo Water, you’re standing up for yourself. So, go ahead. Tell those parasites, bacteria and heavy metals who’s boss. If there’s one thing we should be able to rely on, it’s our water-plain and simple.”
I have enough to worry about on the road when it comes to what we eat, where we go that is dog friendly, and I could go on and on. Water is an issue we have dealt with since starting our travels. From places in the desert with unsafe water, to places with no water at all, daily necessities like water are more than a challenge. It means life or death to us all.
But the blue green algae is now a new challenge. And Primo is here to help. What are our suggestions on keeping your dog safe from toxic water in our lakes, streams, rivers and other bodies of water?
1. Don’t give your dog a reason to drink water other than what you carry, hopefully Primo Water! Give them water before, during and after exercise.
2. Do not let your dog swim in any body of water that you don’t know has been tested. And even then, consider waiting until this scare is completely over. However, know that drinking any foreign water will always, always have risks. Isn’t Primo Water a better option?
3. Never underestimate the power of water when it comes to your dog’s happiness. Just like there is never enough happy, you can never have enough water. We use the five and three gallon jugs when we travel with the chargeable pump.
And don’t forget the Primo Water Dispenser With Pet Station!
“Now every member of your family can enjoy the delicious taste of Primo® water with the new Primo® Water Dispenser with Pet Station. Primo brings its advanced technology in water cooling and heating with an innovative design that delivers refreshing water to your cat or dog at the push of a button. A recent study has shown that bulk water users drink 25% more water. With a Primo® Water Dispenser, you can enjoy cold or hot water and your cat or your dog can enjoy refreshing water at the push of a button. The Primo® Water Dispenser with Pet Station features the innovative flex design, allowing you to install the pet bowl on the front, right or left side of your water cooler, fitting virtually anywhere in your home while providing easy access for your cat or dog.”
Life for us is never boring. And really, water is not a boring conversation when it comes to our dogs’ lives. Just as important as exercise and diet, water is a key to a longer and healthier lives for us all.
It’s up to us to keep our dogs safe from things like unsafe water sources. Don’t chance it. Don’t take a chance on the water your dog drinks. We find Primo Water has made a huge difference in our lives. And we have been able to find a refill station or prefilled jugs everywhere we have traveled! You can check locations and shop dispensers at www.primowater.com.
So is that water safe for your dog? If it’s not Primo Water, think twice. And stay safe, dog parents!
–Rachael Johnson
Co-founder 2 Traveling Dogs
Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are our own. We received compensation for this post.
Primo Water has generously agreed to sponsor our “Rescue Of The Month”! Congratulations to Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue in New Hampshire who will be receiving their own Primo Water Pet Station!
