Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for June 26, 2015

This has been a public service announcement from your local cartoonists’ union.

So, the lesson for today is, going belly-up is not necessarily reason to freak out…. especially if there are no "X"es on the eyes.

I live in Atlanta, and my cats love to sleep on my deck in the hot sun.

As long as they have access to good clear water, they should be fine…They’ll come in when they want to…

I’d love to find out what Gene and his family are up to!

While we’re on the subject, don’t shave your cats thinking it will keep them cool. Their fur actually helps to dissipate the excess heat. They can’t sweat through their skin, only on their paw pads. They can pant like dogs, though. If you see a cat doing that, get him cooled off pronto.

My cat stays inside…I think she’s even learned how to adjust the thermostat!!

Dogs do the same – sweat through their foot pads.

There was a memorable Dennis the Menace Sunday strip in which Mister Wilson plunged Dennis’ dog Ruff into a tub of cool water because the dog was exhibiting symptoms of heat stroke.

Oh, by the way, I was going to ask you expert analyzers if anyone can tell me what Grimmy is holding in today’s Mother Goose & Grimm. Many thanks to anyone who can explain it. http://www.seattlepi.com/comics-and-games/fun/Mgoose/

To Gokie5 Maybe a pooper-scooper

If your pet has a tick on it, soak a Q Tip with liquid dish soap and apply to the tick. Hole the swab on the tick and it will back unto it for disposal.

And here I just thought they wanted a tummy rub. We call it “tummy airing” when they lie around on their backs in the heat.