(article courtesy of Ruffwear)

Q: Will the Swamp Cooler work in humid environments?

A: Yes, although it works more efficiently where there’s more evaporation (i.e. drier climates). 

Q: Will the Swamp Cooler work if it’s not wet?

A: The Swamp Cooler will provide SPF protection and sun reflection even when not wet, which will help keep your dog’s temperature down (like wearing white instead of black on a hot day), but for the evaporative cooling to occur, it needs to be wetted down, preferably with cool water.

Q: Should I put my Swamp Cooler in the freezer?

A: No.  There are no crystals or chemicals in this product that require “activation”.  Putting the Swamp Cooler in the freezer may degrade the material and cause the temperature shock to your dog.   Just soak in cool water, wring out, and put around your dog.

Q: Will my dog be soaking wet after putting the damp Swamp Cooler on?

A: Not really.  Initially their top coat may become damp, but the water in the Swamp Cooler will evaporate (cooling your dog!),so they will not be wet for very long.

Q: Can I use salt water to wet the Swamp Cooler?

A: While you can use ocean water, salt does not evaporate.  If you do use salt water, make sure to rinse your vest out thoroughly after use.  For best results, we recommend using fresh, cool water for optimal cooling and performance.

Q: How long will the Swamp Cooler stay wet?

A: Generally, 45 minutes to two hours depending on the climate.

Q: What’s the best way to recharge the Swamp Cooler?

A: Have your dog jump in a river, lake or pond.  Second best?  Pour water directly on the coat while the dog is wearing it.

Q: Will the Swamp Cooler work underneath a pack?

A: Yes, but not as well.  The areas exposed to air will cool most effectively.

Q: How do I activate the Swamp Cooler?

A: Just soak in cool water, wring out, and put around your dog like this.

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‘There was then a brief moment of celebration before I thought, “How am I going to get him back up?”.’

She called coastguards after realising Oscar was stranded at the foot of the cliffs by the incoming tide.

But the dog was rescued soon after the fall on Thursday morning by a canoeist who had witnessed the incident.

She added: ‘I like to let my dog off the lead to give him a run but I’ll never do it again anywhere near a cliff.’

Mr Brown, 41, who runs a business selling dog products, said: ‘We were quite upset and worried at the time but Laura was brilliant and she did the right thing throughout.

‘These things happen, dogs will be dogs. Oscar is walking a bit gingerly today but he is fine.’

The businessman and his 31-year-old wife also live in Iwerne Minster with Theo and their other son, William, aged two.

Steve Williams, a watch manager at Portland coastguard, said: ‘Oscar is one lucky dog.

‘I can only assume he suffered a bump or two on the way down the cliff which cushioned his fall.

‘We always advise pet owners to keep their dogs on their leads near cliffs as the animals do get excited and can fall over the edge.’

Cocker spaniel survives 120ft tumble from cliff with nothing more than a ‘little limp’ | Mail Online

When Oscar the cocker spaniel scampered over the edge of a 120ft sheer cliff, Laura Gardener was distraught.Not least because she had only been walking the dog for a friend when she let it off the leash at a coastal beauty spot.

Luckily for all concerned, the five-year-old pet escaped from his death-defying leap with just ‘a little limp’ and was yesterday back home with his owners after being checked over by a vet.

Mrs Gardener had offered to take Oscar to Old Harry Rocks, near Studland, Dorset, along with her own dog, Dougie, and her three children, because his owners, Rupert and Emma Brown, had their hands full looking after a newborn baby.

The 41-year-old said: ‘Rupert and Emma haven’t been able to exercise Oscar as much as they would have liked recently due to their baby Theo.

‘I have taken care of Oscar before so I offered to take him with me to Studland. The coastal path was quite open and I thought it would be OK to let the dogs off their leads.

‘As soon as I did they both went running off about 100 metres in the distance.’

She shouted at the dogs to stop, but while Dougie obeyed the command, Oscar carried on running and ‘flew over the edge’.

Mrs Gardener, who lives in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, with husband Andrew, an energy manager, added: ‘I peered over the top and saw Oscar.

‘He looked like he didn’t know what had hit him but he was alive”

‘There was then a brief moment of celebration before I thought, “How am I going to get him back up?”.’

She called coastguards after realising Oscar was stranded at the foot of the cliffs by the incoming tide.

But the dog was rescued soon after the fall on Thursday morning by a canoeist who had witnessed the incident.

She added: ‘I like to let my dog off the lead to give him a run but I’ll never do it again anywhere near a cliff.’

Mr Brown, 41, who runs a business selling dog products, said: ‘We were quite upset and worried at the time but Laura was brilliant and she did the right thing throughout.

‘These things happen, dogs will be dogs. Oscar is walking a bit gingerly today but he is fine.’

The businessman and his 31-year-old wife also live in Iwerne Minster with Theo and their other son, William, aged two.

Steve Williams, a watch manager at Portland coastguard, said: ‘Oscar is one lucky dog.

‘I can only assume he suffered a bump or two on the way down the cliff which cushioned his fall.

‘We always advise pet owners to keep their dogs on their leads near cliffs as the animals do get excited and can fall over the edge.’