The H E A T

I had planned a "work-cation". My DH and DD were on the promise-fulfilled HS graduation (2006),Washington, D.C. trip, finally realized, and I wanted to stay home and get some things done.
Of COURSE, the massive 2011 heat wave started 2 days in to my 9 day week. I was handling it okay--I spent 2 days mowing down the up-to-5 foot tall weed patches in my pastures. Wore a tank top to get some color to try to hide my darker and darker "farmer's tan." Did some cleaning and throwing away. Broke down the guest bed, and even moved the mattresses upstairs--With help.
But, the middle of week did me in. I had a music practice at church. My other DD wanted the free desk I had arranged.
Finally, my dogs just couldn't handle taking care of ME and staying in a cool spot. Rose and Pyg and me ended up driving over to Lizzy's basement apartment with the GREAT AC, and sleeping there 3 super hot nights in a row.
It was reassuring to see my dogs breathing normally, dozing, having doggy dreams and generally recovering.
Fortunately, my other animals handled the heat fine.
I gave my adult flock cold water every day, and they took to the shade spot and panted.
My 6 week old flock did the same, in their 10 x 20 run with some open-air spots and the grown up weeds for shade.
My 2 week old chicks needed extra heat because they hadn't grown all of their feathers--THEY were fine this last week.
The horses drank a lot of water, licked from their salt block and had numerous shade/breezy spots in their pastures, so THEY did fine.
ONLY the dogs were suffering. Sooo...I changed my plans.
**sigh**
AND...the heat continues this week.
Happily ALL of my crops have deep roots and are happy AND I'm harvesting beans and tomatoes and cucumbers AND okra.