Summer is here and we know that usually means more outdoor activities with your family and we hope that includes your canine companions. Dog’s Life wants to help you experience some fun in the sun with your dog, so we’ve put together an issue full of ways to enjoy the dog days of summer in comfort and safety.

If you live in the Los Angles area, you’ll find our dog-friendly map especially helpful for finding a local dog park, trail or beach. If you live elsewhere, I recommend visiting www.dogfriendly.com to find dog-friendly places in your area. Once you’ve found the perfect location, take a look at the Dog Treats page, which features fantastic products for outdoor activities and comfortable travel with your pet. And whether you’re bringing your dog to the local park or across the country for summer vacation, you’ll want to check out our Fetch column, where we’ve featured tips for safe travel by plane, train or automobile with your pet. While you’re planning activities, keep in mind that summer also means warmer weather, so you’ll need to be conscious of weather-related hazards such as heat exhaustion, fleas and ticks—and remember to never leave your dog in the car during the hot summer months.

Hopefully, there are some new dog guardians enjoying their first summer with the dogs they rescued from the war zones. Our feature article, “Dogs of War,” details the stories of four such people, who each developed a loving bond with a local dog while on active duty as soldiers in either Iraq or Afghanistan. These bonds were so strong that the soldiers could not bear to leave their companions when their tours of duty ended. So with perseverance and help from friends, family and some remarkable non-profit organizations, they were able to bring these dogs to the United States and live with them as a family. These inspiring stories prove how strong commitment to a dog can make the seemingly impossible happen.

Through the research and work I do for stories such as the one mentioned above, I’m constantly reminded that anything is possible with hope and perseverance. For me that sentiment was reinforced once again when a story from Dog’s Life recently received an honorable mention from the prestigious Genesis Awards, presented annually by The Humane Society of the United States. The article titled “Breaking the Chains that Bind,” which Olivia LaBarre wrote for our winter issue, detailed the cruelty of tethering dogs and championed the work of the organization Dogs Deserve Better and its founder Tammy Grimes. I would have never imagined receiving such an honor; I could have only hoped that the magazine would make such a difference.

We are continuing the effort to make a difference by recently signing on as a proud supporter of the rescue. raise. love. adopt. public service campaign led by Planet Dog and The Humane Society of the United States. Its goal is to build awareness and educate consumers about the unacceptable number of animals in shelters. Dog’s Life magazine will be part of a reward kit for new adoptees, called “Kiss me, I’m Adopted.” You can read all about on the Yap page.

So for the summer consider adopting a new four-legged family member so you can spend time together enjoying the warm weather by swimming, hiking, playing in the park or taking a nap in the shade.

I hope you enjoy the summer and join us in making a difference in a dog’s life.