Bark in the Park is such a fun thing.

On Sunday, you get to take your little buddy, the dog, to a ballgame in downtown Phoenix to see the Arizona Diamondback whip up on the Giants.

You, the dog, the family can all go to the game. You could even be the Paul Goldschmidt of the group (baseball reference) and hot dogs for everyone!

Check out our calendar entry for Bark in the Park 2013.

Want to make a day of it? Coach & Willies as well as Majerle’s Sports Grill  welcome dogs on the patio, incase you and the pooch want to make a pit stop before the game.

Speaking of pit stops, there’s a grassy area located outside Chase Field’s Gate K (northeast entry) that is designated as an animal-relief area.

And if you get the fever for more dog friendly baseball games, check out the games with our division rivals:

• San Diego Padres  Dog Days of Summer - Tuesday, July 9th at 7:10 pm
• San Francisco Giants  Dog Days of Summer – Sunday, August 25th at 1:05 pm
• Los Angeles Dodgers  Bark in the Park - Saturday, Sept 28th at TBD

A version of my column appeared in The Arizona Republic Friday June 1.

It’s the time of the year when we get those great reminders about not leaving our dogs in the car.

But now that temperatures are getting toastier, we should also remember to
closely watch our dogs on hiking trails, regular walks and even in backyards.

Unfortunately, dogs can die from routine outdoor activities just as they can from being left in a car.

Vets throughout Arizona say they see it all the time during summer: a dog on a simple outing gets heat stroke by being out at the wrong time of day, being out of shape or just not getting enough water.

Unlike your slacker hiking buddies, most dogs will push themselves to the point of heatstroke to keep up with you. So summer is not the time for dogs who were wintertime couch potatoes to take up hiking.

I have an older Beagle and we also get up before the sunrise during the summer. Instead of hitting a hiking trail, we opt for a nearby golf course, which allows us to walk on grass rather than hot surfaces. I also have neighbors close by in case of emergencies.

On the trail and in the great outdoors, there are other simple precautions to protect your dog:

• Dogs are not dainty drinkers. They can slop out that water you carried in for them, so make sure to bring extra. Bring at least 18 ounces of water for your pet for every hour of planned walking.
• Choose trails you (and the dog) are familiar with. This is not the time to explore new territory.
• Know where the nearest vet is just in case
• Brush your dog’s undercoat to remove extra weight before getting on the trail.
• Use ties and vests that can be chilled before being placed upon your dog. Don’t put ice directly against your dog’s coat, however.

Given all these precautions and the possibility of danger to our dogs, why even go out during the summer? It’s a question, I ask myself even morning as I fumble for the leash and stumble out of the house for our pre-dawn walks.

Yet, the answer always comes to me almost immediately. My dog sees the world completely differently than I do. To walk with her is to get a different perspective on a sometimes difficult-to-understand place. Her joy, curiosity and excitement at what we encounter along the walk   prepares us both for a better day.

But, dog and human alike, we just have to be careful out there.

It’s going to be triple-digit weather in Phoenix this weekend and when the temperatures get to 105, it’s time to start thinking about how you and the dog are going to keep cool.

May we recommend a deluxe pet-friendly resort that will pamper your pooch as well as you?

Check out our just updated list of dog-friendly resorts in metro Phoenix and Tucson.

And many of the dog-friendly resorts are listed in our friend Dawn Gilbertson’s guide to great 2013 resort deals as featured in The Arizona Republic.

See you poolside!

With love to all of my Game of Thrones friends –#doghouse of stark

Phoenix is blessed with some great in-town hiking areas that you can share with your dog. A class being offered at North Mountain Visitor Center gives you and your canine buddy some great advice and training in a beautiful desert setting.

Classes are taught by Leslie Spencer-Snider and cost $15 each or four sessions for $40. They are held every Saturday morning through the end of June. Look for Leslie and the dogs near the picnic tables behind the center.

Topics include:

• Conditioning your dog and yourself for the trail
• Proper etiquette on the trail with your dog and you!
• Emergency first aid and how to handle an emergency
• Hiking with a backpack on your dog
• Proper care for your dog’s paws
• How to handle wildlife encounters
• How to handle horseback riders
• How to handle mountain bike riders

“How much water is your dog drinking,?’’asked the vet.

“Uhhhh, I don’t know.’’ Was my stunningly brilliant answer.

Since that exchange with the vet, I have mended my ways. I now make sure to refill the water dish every morning. That helps me keep tabs on the Beagle’s water intake and get further insights into her health. And it reminds me to wash her bowl every day to get rid of any bacteria

On the average, a healthy dog drinks about 1/2 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. So a healthy-sized Beagle will chug about a pint every day, especially because it’s the summer and especially because she eats dry food.

If your dog is drinking more than that, ask your vet about the chances of her having diabetes or Cushing’s disease. If she is drinking much water, it could be signs of kidney problems or cancer.

So keep an eye on that water bowl – and no matter what the dog thinks, the toilet is not an acceptable alternative to the water bowl.

Chances are you see and admire Ron Burns work every day but you just don’t realize it. The wildly talented Arizona artist is the guy responsible for the drawing on the state’s pet-rescue license plates. Yeah, he’s that guy

But if you really want to see the art that started it all out – head out to Mesa Arts Center where a full display of Burns’ art — large canvasses and all is being exhibited.

Burns started out as a guy who wanted to paint portraits of his dog. From there, his career took off and he is now the first-ever artist in residence for the American Humane Society.

His portraits of dogs in unexpected Day-glo colors shows the bright, always upbeat attitude of our best friends.

The exhibit runs through Aug. 11.

Say you have a dog whose given name is HoneyBun and you call her everything else but that.

There’s Bun, Bunster, Bun-Bun, Bunny, Bunny Boo, Bunny Boo Boo, and Boo.

Is it your fault that she doesn’t come when called?

Not necessarily say dog trainers.  Dogs are as adaptable to names as they are to situations. Use a normal name for your dog and keep the funny one for a nickname when you are sharing time alone or with good friends. Your dog can have more than one name he responds to, says Martin Deeley who works with Cesar Millan.

It’s more important to get your grammar right in addressing your dog than it is using the right name, says Stanley Coren, estimable psychologist and dog expert.

Each time we want our dog to do something we should start off with his name. That means that “HoneyBun, drop the roasted chicken.” is proper dog talk. Using their name first gets their attention and then they can follow the command.

As far as having pet names for pooches, it can’t be helped. For humans, pet names is a way to strengthen a bond of intimacy between us and our partners, children or pets.

Unfortunately, for our pets, unlike our partners, can’t easily protest being called “Admiral Snugglebums.’’

Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for “Let’s go out for a beer and bring the dog”, right?

Because now is the perfect time to party with your dog on a patio. The Phoenix weather at night is relatively cool and there are a sombrero full of places in metro Phoenix that offer dog-friendly patios.

Some of our favorites include:

• Aunt Chiladas: 7330 N. Dreamy Draw Drive, Phoenix
• Milagro Grill: 4280 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix
• Salty Senorita: Locations in Scottsdale and Peoria

Looking for more? Check out our-always expanding list of dog-friendly places in and around Phoenix.

And if you have a Chihuahua that needs racing, check out Chandler’s Chihuahua races on Saturday.

Ole amigos! (And I know that’s Spanish for don’t be giving my dog no hot salsa)

Do you know why some dogs have yellow ribbons tied to their leashes?

Neither did I until the folks at Bark Avenue Pet Supply in Mesa set me straight.

Turns out a yellow ribbon on a dog leash is an international signal to give the dog some space. It started in Sweden with the idea that yellow means caution and certain dog you should approach cautiously, because of their health or behavioral issues.

Interesting but then I read this blog by Dogknobit, who asked some really good questions like – if you need to tie a yellow ribbon around your dog’s leash, should you be walking this dog around in public? “And finally, isn’t it just plain common sense and courtesy to keep one’s dog from getting in another dog’s face?”

What do you think? Is the yellow ribbon a good way to give a warning or does it signal a lack of responsibility on the human companion’s part?

Me, I am thinking of wearing my own personal a yellow ribbon – maybe it would help me get some space in crowded elevators.