Natalie Voss

Whether you’re looking to spice up a sizable vegetable garden this spring or seeking an approachable way to start a small, fuss-free garden, your answer may lie in herbs.

Actually, the definition of “herbs” is a broad one. Although we’re used to thinking of the word in terms of the traditional basil and thyme that appear alongside a roast chicken, the term technically includes hundreds of plants. The traditional botanical definition of an herb is a plant without a woody stem which dies to the ground in winter.

Summer is a good time to pull on your sunglasses, break out the bug spray, and hit the lake or the beach. For your animals, dealing with the summer temperatures isn’t quite as straightforward, making it important to have a plan for how to help them cope.

There are a few basic themes to keep in mind across species: the symptoms of heat stroke for many species include lethargy, drooling, stumbling, confusion, increased respiration, increased rectal temperature, and (sometimes) stomach upset. If you see an animal showing signs of heatstroke, it’s best to act quickly to help the animal and to cool them gradually. Once they are stable, they should be seen by a veterinarian. In all cases, untreated heatstroke can lead to serious neurological damage and even death.