I’m dreading the summer. I don’t do well in hot weather. I start to wilt, and I get nauseous and dizzy, and then I get extra self-conscious about how I look, and smell. Cricket doesn’t mind the heat at all. She loves the extra vibrancy of smells during the summer, especially any rotting carcasses she can find, by the side of the road, or up in the woods behind our building.
“I didn’t roll in anything, yet!”
Most of the summer I end up wearing a jacket outdoors, to keep my arms from going up in smoke, and I still have to put sun block on my arms in case my jacket is too weak to protect me. Every once in a while I forget what the sun can do to me, and end up with sun poisoning on the backs of my hands, because I washed off the sun block by mistake before getting into the car to drive.
And then there are my allergies, which seem to have super powers, and see my allergy medication as a puny little enemy to be ignored. For months at a time it feels like I swallowed fly paper, through my nose.
I really do love all of the colors of late spring, and all of the flowers and trees I can’t identify, like the pink one, and the red one, and the purple one, etc, but each blossom tries to fly up my nose, and every blade of grass, as soon as it meets the lawn mower, lands in my eye. My Mom, who has similar allergies to mine, has more fortitude, and manages to pretend that she can still see and breathe while she digs and plants and weeds to her heart’s content in the heat of the day; meanwhile I’m resting like an invalid in front of my air conditioner.
Cricket stole my spot in front of the air-conditioner.
Summer is obviously not my season. I end up feeling like a steamed dumpling, even indoors, because of the humidity. Cricket still begs for long walks, and really, it makes sense; I can’t even imagine how much more fragrant the bird poop must be when it hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Where’s the poop?”
Cricket has no wardrobe changes as the seasons change. Her coat seems to keep her cool enough in summer, and warm enough in winter, so that any attempt on my part to try to dress her up is met with a hardy “fnuh!” That’s Cricket’s favorite curse word. I can’t even begin to translate it from dog into human, because I don’t have enough of the right kind of words in my vocabulary to do it justice.
I tend to wear the same basic clothes in June as I wear in January, just with shorter sleeves. People seem to think I should be willing to wear shorts in public as the weather warms up, but I refuse. I stick with my jeans and trousers and if anyone has a problem with that, all I can say to that is, Fnuh!
rachelmankowitz 
Rachel, I would have been laughing hysterically at this if I didn’t realize it was all true, and you meant every word of it. I had to read the part about the bird poop heating up to my hubby. Hey, ever thought about moving to Alaska?
I wonder how Cricket would manage. She does love the snow…
Sounds like a win-win. And then there’s your mother…
The photos (and captions) of Cricket are a riot. The last photo–so fluffy and fuzzy. Kind of like my hair, which is why I keep it pulled up. And I chose to live in Florida?! Good luck with the heat. Planting yourself in front of the a/c sounds good to me. I’ll save you a spot.
Thank you!
Rachel, have you tried local honey for your allergies? It helps many people. Be sure it’s local raw honey. Take a generous spoonful every day and see if it helps. Good luck!
It’s worth a try. Thank you!
It doesn’t work for many so don’t get hopes up.
Ugh. I hate summer too. I am beginning to dread it as I think it is starting to heat up here. We have had AWESOME weather. Cool temps. But I think this weekend will be the end of that. I have allergies too, but I notice they don’t bother me when I don’t go outside. I stay inside due to the heat and allergies! Here’s to making it through!
Now if only I could convince Cricket that she doesn’t need all of those walks…
I know that is an issue. I have (indoor only) cats. 🙂 Perhaps she can learn to walk herself?
Ha!
I’m with you all the way Rachel. I despise the hot weather and could very easily move from cold climate to cold climate throughout the year, funds permitting. Our summers here in Australia can be hot and long and trying. If they cancelled summer, I would be a very happy camper indeed.
I would love that!
I love summer but its heat has turned extreme due to climate change so there are periods where it is very testing for all life forms-human, plant and animal- in Australia.
It sounds like we’re going to be spending a lot more time indoors from now on.
Yes, I think you’re right
We are at the height of summer here and it is really hot, hot, hot. Cricket is looking so well.
Cricket makes sure to get all of her beauty sleep. Clearly it takes about twenty two hours of sleep a day to look one’s best.
We go north for our vacations because I can’t stand being hot either. We have enjoyed the temperature in Quebec and Nova Scotia. Maybe Labrador next if it keeps getting warmer around the globe! My sympathies to you.
That sounds great!
I have missed feeling about the summer. I long for it to end, but when it does, I start to appreciate its good points.
Your post left me smiling, though I’m sorry for all the problems that summer brings your way.
Thank you!
Not my season either 🤝
I don’t like summer either. But I don’t think Cricket would mind going for walks in any weather!
She’s even started liking walks in the rain!
I don’t blame her for that!
I’m an Arizona bird and can send you some fragrant poop.
I’d rather spend a summer in Phoenix than a winter in New England and I’ve done both.
I wonder how the post office would feel about sending poop across the country. Cricket thinks it’s a wonderful idea.
I second that! Left Chicago for Phoenix and never looked back!
Ah such a shame that you cant enjoy the summer. I suffer from allergies too but not so bad thankfully. What a lovely place to walk Cricket.
Miss Cricket is resting up for her next walk right now!
Oh, I laughed so much through this!!! I can totally relate to the steamed dumpling analogy (make mine double-stuffed! 😂) but as much as I’m not a fan of being a hot mess (literally), I will take glorious sultry summer days and nights while they’re here over our frigid Canadian Prairie winters tvat go on and on and on and … well, you get my point. Weathering the weather is definitely getting harder as I age, I suppose it comes with all those other things that just seem to be a bit more taxing than they were when I was young and unconcerned, but the idea of moving – running away from all the things that are hard(er) in life just doesn’t make sense, especially when I’m likely to just find something else difficult to deal with wherever I end up. So I plan on just accepting that while I may not look hot in the ways I used to (ha!) I sure can look hot (literally) all summer long without even trying … and that’s cool! 😎
Ha!
Although I have allergies too, I look forward to the summer, to get away from the constant dull skies and frequent heavy rain. Luckily, I don’t get sunburn, and my skin just turns brown for a while instead. But I agree about humidity. When it gets unbearably humid in August, not being able to sleep, and feeling uncomfortable all day is nothing to look forward to. But we are fortunate in England, as that closeness never lasts too long.
Best wishes, Pete.
Best wishes!
I can tolerate anything except humidity
I live for humidity, it’s the best thing about the warmer months.
I love the Summer. If I could afford it I’d chase summer for as long as I live. I have to be sun smart these days, but a tropical or sub-equatorial life is what I dream of.
Enjoy!
I stopped travelling to Spain years ago in height of summer as I was always so ill with it. Love the heat but not the crazy heat, just as well being a Brit…
Rachel, you just described my summers! I walk around with a hat, a gourgeous umbrella, sunscreen everywhere! airconditioning and I feel being abused in a winter setting! Lol!
I just saw a picture of a dog with an attached umbrella and I got so jealous!
Lol!!! Oh that would be great!!!!🤣
‘…my allergies, which seem to have super powers… ‘ Hahhaa
I hear Fairbanks is lovely this time of year.
Hmm.
More love in your life would help and a mate to focus on mutual adoration!
I hate the heat, humidity even more. Don’t think I could live on the East coast, left it many years ago. I sympathize.
We need a really really big dehumidifier.
Sounds very difficult. Wishing you an easy summer. With a lot of air conditioning. I used to love the summer and suffer in winter, but as I grew older, any extreme was hard to take.
Thank you! Here’s to fewer extremes.
Great post. I don’t mind summer, we get very little warm weather here in England. I like winter too.
Thank you!
Steamed dumplings are good.
Millie and Pearl would sympathize with you, they don’t like the heat – especially Millie, who is old now and finds it very tiring. I can only take them for short walks at the moment, and only in the cooler part of the day.
I have to admit, I love summer – it’s winter that gets me down!
Cricket has decided to enjoy every season, despite all of my efforts.
My dog hates the heat just as much as I do! She still begs for walks, and then quickly regrets them when she realizes it’s a sauna outside!1
Cricket used to be like that about the rain; I’d get these dirty looks from her as if I was making it rain directly on her head.
Yeah! Heat and rain are a no go for Emma, but she loves the snow!
I hate summer, and eagerly waiting for the rainy season to start … loved your writing around this and the dog 🙂 🙂
Thank you!
Love Cricket’s bath photo.
Thank you!
Oh my gosh! Lol! I love summer, but hate the humidity, which is horrible where I live. I spend almost all of it at the pool these days.
So funny and so relateable! My Murray gets shaven in the summer because we both hate the heat also. ughghg!
Thank you!
My Husky really hates the summer, a few years ago I tried to help him out and had the hair shaved off his body to help keep him cool. Word of advice DO NOT SHAVE A HUSKY, its not a pretty picture!! Hes perfectly happy just having ice in his water and the AC on in the house, and I dont have to have nightmares……win win!!
Ha! Cricket had her hair cut very short once and, even though I still thought she was cute, she was horrified!
It’s amazing how different a dog looks without hair. That would be a great blog!!! Dogs you should never give a haircut!!
Oh, I feel so bad for you! This is totally my season – I hate the cold with a blazing passion! And also – double coated dogs shouldn’t be shaved , the double coat keeps them cool. Lady Cricket would be adorable no matter what, but she’s way too dignified to be hairless!
Thank you! Cricket would love to have long flowing hair, but she gets mats too easily and collects goop wherever she goes.
Rachel. Love this. I too am not a hot weather person. Not a good thing in Texas. It is supposed to be 103 here in north Texas today and tomorrow. I’ll be inside before noon hugging the air conditioner. Cricket is a riot. Here on my farm it is the horse poop they run for immediately.
Cricket accidentally walked through a horse path one day and spread horse poop everywhere she went thereafter. She was thrilled!
What a fun post! I You have the right to complain but cricket knows how to make things better does ‘t she? Teaches you to curse and have a dressing attitude…btw i also wear mostly jeans and trousers, maybe a dress or a skirt from time to time. Well have a bearable summer!
Cricket is a wonderful teacher!
Yes, this heat is unbelievable right now. Poor baby. No one needs to leave dogs in the car unless someone is with them and air is running. I would love to have a second hime somewhere in the mountains I could go to during the summer. Cricket is such a lovely dog. Keep the stories comming.
Thank you!
A-MEN to your thoughts regarding summer! Although I don’t struggle with allergies – I ‘outgrew’ hay fever in my middle thirties so I do know what it is like – I was built for cold and really struggle with heat especially when humidity accompanies said heat. As to the fragrant bird poop…well, my canines were always interested in anything with a strong odor and bird poop was just one of many attractants. Now that we’re in semi-rural south central Alaska I have to keep an eye on what Qanuk is scenting and tracking; too often there’s a moose at the end of that scent trail and I don’t even want to think about what would happen should a grizzly be the source! Love the post; thanks for sharing..!!
Thank you!