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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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A video of a cross-breed dog living the dream has gone viral on Instagram and racked up more than 9 million views.
Sophie, the German shepherd and border collie mix, has been caught on camera relaxing on the beach in a shaded den.
Her owner, Alexa Bell, dug a hole in the sand and made a roof using two bodyboards so her 5-year-old dog could relax without overheating.
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"Sophie loves the beach, especially swimming. But being a black dog in Australia she gets very hot," Bell, 20, told Newsweek.
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She added: "Plus she also doesn't like when dogs at the beach run up to her so I built the shade for her to keep her cool, in peace, without getting too much unwanted attention."
People often avoid wearing black during the summer because the darker the clothing, the greater the absorption of heat which means you feel hotter. Well, it's the same for dogs.
Those with a darker coat are at a higher risk of overheating. The American Kennel Club states that "black and other dark-colored coats also absorb heat faster in the sun." They aren't the only dogs at risk though. All dogs are, but some like brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds and black dogs can overheat more easily.
The video, captioned "Queen Sophie," has racked up 9.8 million views and 499,000 likes. It looks like the dog walker's idea has inspired other owners, judging by the comments on the clip shared to Bell's business page @thepup_crew.
One user said: "Not me now carrying a shovel and a piece of plywood with me every time I go to the beach now. Big dog life takes a lil more effort."
Bell has been hailed as a "genius" and the den has been referred to as a "great design" by other users.
Taking Care of Your Dog at the Beach
Bell, from South Guildford, Western Australia, certainly has the right idea by creating a cooler spot for her canine. Purina, a pet food company, has shared tips for owners that are aimed to keep their furry friend safe at the beach.
It may be easy for dogs to get carried away in the heat of the moment so it's important for them to be wearing a collar and an identification tag. Just in case they make friends that are out of sight!
Owners are also encouraged to provide fresh, clean water while at the beach. This way, the dog may be less tempted to drink the salty seawater. Purina's website states that too much seawater could make them unwell.
For some dogs, swimming comes naturally but like humans, some canines may be more nervous than others. If this is the case, owners are encouraged against "throwing them into the deep end," they should never them to enter the sea when the waves are choppy. They also shouldn't force dogs into deeper areas.
Owners are encouraged to praise their dogs and let them go at their own pace—even if that means paddling in the shallow end.
Last but certainly not least, owners must provide a shaded spot for their pet to take a well-deserved break. This could be underneath a parasol, in a pop-up tent or one like Sophie's.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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