May 31, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

My Dog Day of Summer

I usually don’t sweat the news about temperatures.  I live on the Westside, close to the Pacific Ocean, and it hardly ever breaks 78 degrees. Until yesterday.

I took my pup, Zoey, out for a walk yesterday afternoon.I was in Westwood.  I felt the heat immediately after walking out of my Uber-cool apartment. (that means temperature cool and “cool” cool.)  I wished to myself, “Please Zoey, please don’t turn left to do the longer walk”  She did. Shit.  This route had us climbing a hill half-way back.  

I secured my new blue face mask (that matched my blue sundress) and we headed along the route.  Things were going well.   There was a nice breeze and we were going down-hill.  Zoey was doing “her thing,” (both 1 and 2.) Once we started going up-hill, that’s where the trouble started. 

The sun was directly in our faces. I started to get really, really hot.  I looked down at Zoey.  She was slowing down, as was I, and looking at me painfully.  She’s kind of a princess—a Maltese with long, white fluffy hair, always coiffed.  Everyone who meets her thinks she’s the cutest thing; she has a personality to match. I taught her everything she knows.  So I knew that she was in the same shape as I was.  

We got to the top of the hill, and felt the cool breeze again.  We made it!  We both heaved a sigh of relief.  By this time, my face mask was soaked in sweat, and I couldn’t breathe. I pulled it down from my face to get a couple of deep breaths. Zoey did too. She doesn’t have to wear a mask; lucky her.

We made it back to my place.  There is a flight of stairs we had to climb before we could get into the house.  I wanted to go fast so I could get it over with.  But Zoey was stubborn; she refused to go.  After a few minutes of push-pull between us, she eventually gave up and trotted up the stairs, both of us using every bit of energy we had.

Once the door opened, we were welcomed with a gush of cold air from the air conditioning that I keep a cool 72 degrees.  We collapsed on the cool wood floors after drinking some water; Zoey from her bowl, mine from a bottle.  We laid there for about a half hour.  I got to thinking, was that walk safe?  How does one (or two) cool off in a short amount of time?  

I checked on line for some easy tips.  Here is a list of the top ten:

  • Take a cold bath or shower. It lowers your body temperature quickly.
  • Hose off.  If a shower is too far a way, find the nearest garden hose.  I’ll remember this one for next time.
  • Grab an ice pop.  I had some lemon ices that Zoey and I shared.  I located them deep in the corner of my freezer.  Woo hoo!
  • Sit in a raft in your pool.  Zoey loves to play ball in the pool.  
  • Exercise at a cooler time. I think I’ll start with this option first.  

Happy summer!  Stay safe, strong and cool!

in News
<>Related Posts

Defensible Space, Defined: How A Plus Tree Protects Communities from Wildfire

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

In the wildfire-prone landscapes of the Western United States, safeguarding homes and communities requires proactive measures. A Plus Tree, a...

Westside Ballet to Present Spring Showcase and Gala Featuring NYCB Stars This Weekend

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

The Huntley Santa Monica Beach Community Service Award will go to first responders from Los Angeles and Santa Monica in...

Salt & Straw Unveils Summer Pie Series with Five Seasonal Ice Cream Flavors

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

Five New Flavors Inspired by Classic Summer Pies Will Be Introduced Salt & Straw is giving summer a scoopable twist with...

Palisades Village to Reopen in 2026 with Revamped Retail, Dining, and Community Spaces

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Elysewalker Set to Return With Park Reconstruction, Holiday Events, and Streetscape Upgrades Palisades Village, the open-air shopping and lifestyle destination...

(Video) Signs That Your Aging Loved Ones Are in Need of Caregiving

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

To Find Out More, Go To Safelyhomeagain.com To Find Out More, Go To https://t.co/ZcOduvaP03 pic.twitter.com/9E2uPzzZO6 — Santa Monica Mirror (@SMMirror)...

(Video) Last Thursday Concert Series Kicks off at Venice Boardwalk

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

The shows happen at Dudley Ave. at the pergolas on the north end of the boardwalk The shows happen at...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Summer Reading Program to Promote Literacy

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Running from June 14 through August 16, the program encourages participants of all ages to track their reading progress and...

Film Review: Jane Austen Wrecked My Life

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

FILM REVIEWJANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFERated R98 MinutesReleased May 30th Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is a refreshingly simple and...

Burger Chain Tied to Late Rapper Nipsey Hussle Announces Venice Boardwalk Location

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

The announcement marks the brand’s expansion from its Fairfax District debut earlier this year Marathon Burger, a new franchise honoring...

Levain Bakery Debuts ‘Levain à la Mode’ with Local Ice Cream Partners for Summer

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Seasonal Offering With Wanderlust Creamery is a First in Cookie Shop’s History For the first time in its three-decade history, Levain...

Bay Cities Italian Deli Responds to Health Code Closure, Commits to Corrective Action

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Santa Monica Landmark Disputes Rodent Claims but Acknowledges Violations Bay Cities Italian Deli, a Santa Monica staple renowned for its...

(Video) Interviews with Rick Caruso and Elyse Walker, with a Dennis Quaid cameo

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

We spoke at the Press Conference to announce plans to reopen Palisades Village Shopping Mall. Actor Dennis Quaid arrives to...

Santa Monica Landlord to Pay $685K in Tenant Harassment Lawsuit

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

The settlement, announced Tuesday, resolves allegations of tenant harassment and discrimination under the city’s Tenant Harassment and Housing Anti-Discrimination ordinances...

Film Review: Bring Her Back

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Grief is the price of love.  Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou’s second feature film, Bring Her Back,...

County Assessor Stresses Need For Fire-Affected Households to Update Addresses to Receive Relief Checks

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Assessor’s Office Offers Automatic Tax Relief for Fire-Affected Homeowners Following the destruction caused by wildfires earlier this year, the Los...