Why do some people think that dogs don’t feel the cold?

I recently saw an older, long-haired dog huddled in the back of an open pick-up truck. Mom was sitting in the front seat of the extended cab (meaning there was room for the dog in the back seat) while the dog was shivering. I politely asked if she knew the dog was in obvious discomfort. I was advised that the dog is an outside dog and had been riding in the back of the truck for seven years.

Does this fact mean that the dog was happy riding in the back of a cold, wet, windy truck?

I called the Humane Society and local law enforcement only to be told nothing could be done, because the parking lot was private property. Huh? Isn’t there a law about unsecured loads on cars/trucks?

Please people, when you transport your pets, please transport them responsibly. Put them in a safe, secure, comfortable carrier. Better yet, put them where they SHOULD be; in the cab with you!

Kathleen Roche-Zujko, Bellevue