We’ve said it a million times and we’ll say it a million more. Maybe someday we can stop saying it. But not yet. Because we continue to hear too many stories about too many dogs being left in hot cars.

Of course we get it. You were only going to be gone a few minutes. And of course we understand that it wasn’t all that hot when you parked because the sun wasn’t on your side of the street. And yes, there were some shade trees. And you really did leave the windows open a bit.

We’ve all been there. We’ve all said it. We’ve all done it. Me too.

So here’s a story that may drive the point home a bit more. A veterinarian acquaintance of mine, someone who loved his sweet girl more than anything, parked innocently one day to run a short errand. And of course he brought his dog with him. Because she loved her car rides.

But his few minutes errand took a bit longer. And when he got back to his car he saw that the sun had shifted and was now beating down right on top of where he had parked.

And the worst had happened. His dog had died.

The person who had taken an oath to save and protect animals could not do his magic that day on the dog he loved more than any other.

Yes, this is a reminder that it can happen to any of us. But we’re the ones that make the mistake. We can’t blame the weather or the sun or our dogs. It’s not their fault.

The blame is ours. Just that simple. We make enough mistakes in life. Let’s not make this one too. Because lives are at stake.

And it was the very conversation I just had with someone. She said she did not realize how hot it was.

C’mon. Of course you did.

You were dressed for a warm summer day. And when you pulled up I could hear your A/C was cranking full speed.

Yes. You knew it was hot.

Then you turned off the A/C and shut the windows, with only a crack left open all around. You even told your dog you’d be back in a little while. And then you started to walk away while talking on your cell phone. You were laughing at something someone had said.

And there I was. Asking you to please not leave your dog behind. You pretended to ignore me but I know you heard me.

So I kept talking and in a fit of desperation I told you that I was going to set off my car alarm and draw as many people as possible and I’d tell them what was going on. And I told you that I’d also take photos of your car and post them on FB, You still ignored me.

But for some reason a few steps later you stopped and turned around and walked back. You glared at me and told me to mind my own business as you got inside your car and drove away.

I didn’t care what you said. I didn’t care how angry you were. You could have stood there shouting at me all day long if it meant your dog would not die in your car that day.

You drove away. I’m not sure if you went home or went to another part of the parking lot. But at least you heard me. And hopefully you knew I was saying something for the right reasons.

So please, all of us, let’s remember that too many dogs suffer from heatstroke and die every day when they are left inside hot cars. Leaving the windows down or parking in the shade is just flat out not enough.

And one more thing. Don’t leave your kids in a hot car either. Or your elderly parents. Because the same heatstroke that can kill our four-legged family can also kill our two-legged family.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. Just Say No To Dogs In Hot Cars. thepongofund.org