PSA.

Normally I try not to get all "preachy" with people. Working with children, I see things that I completely disagree with, but I keep my mouth shut. In fact, I keep my mouth shut alot. I'm a worry wart, that my opinion will drive people way because they disagree or think I'm stupid. Fully aware there's a lot of "back story" there from growing up, but it is what it is. Point being, I rarely speak up.

Except for those that can't speak.

Yesterday I got done with work early, and headed to Walmart to return some stuff we got this weekend. Here's how it went down....

~ Pull into the parking lot. See a car with two little dogs barking away in it. Check the time. 2:47.

~ Wait in my car a few minutes to see if anyone comes out. Decide to head into Walmart. 2:55.

~ Get in line for my return. Religiously watch the door to see who goes to that car. Nobody.

~ Finally get up to the counter, and ask the employee -- "There's a car outside, closed up, with dogs inside..."  Don't even finish my sentence and I get, "Nothing we can do. You have to call the police. If Walmart is mentioned, corporate has to get involved, and it's a big mess." 3:07 
You kidding me dude? 

~ Get out to my car, one dog still barking. The other laying DIRECTLY in the sun, panting very hard, and not moving too much. Call the Police Department. 3:10

At this point, my heart couldn't take it if those dogs were really really hurt. I was feeling this overwhelming sense of guilt. I should have called sooner. I should have walked around the store looking for the owner. I should have done something more.

I drove around the parking lot for a few minutes until I saw the police car driving down the street towards Walmart. And then I left. Should I have stayed? Probably. Should I have ripped the owner a new one? Definitely. But I felt okay with what I had done. My hands were clean.

PEOPLE.

Please, please, please, please spread the word. You can NOT leave your dogs, or your child, in a car when it is this time! I strongly believe you shouldn't do it ever, but the summer time is the worst you can do. It can take 5-20 minutes for a dog to die by sitting in that car. Being able to just fit the tip of your finger in the window, isn't enough. I know in the days of "gas being expensive," people are cutting down on multiple trips, but what's more important? The 5 minutes it will take to put your dog in it's home environment with cool air and water, or the $2 it will take to make a trip back out to Walmart.

Next time, I plan to call the police immediately. Please do the same.