Amid our official launch into summer, I am reminded of my childhood. The smell of freshly mowed grass, drinking Kool-Aid on the porch swing when it was too hot to do anything else.  Setting off to the local watering hole to cool down, with the family dog by our side. Growing up in rural Idaho, I was always in the company of farm cats and dogs, along with the occasional farm pets– horses, goats, pigs, cows, chickens, ducks, rabbits and geese. My parents felt strongly about exposing us to animals and teaching us responsibility through farm chores. There were also the unexpected pets, like the two orphaned baby raccoons that needed care until they could be returned to the wild, or the baby raven that fell from its nest and needed a surrogate family to attend to it.  It seems only natural to me, now with a family of my own, that animals should be part of our lives. I currently have one cat, one dog, one horse, some fish and a bearded dragon. I would have more if my husband would see things my way. This issue of San Diego Pets is a tribute to summer fun. Read the inspiring stories about some pretty cool action animals, summer safety tips, tips for keeping your pets calm during summer fireworks noise and some great insight to dog park etiquette. I hope this issue will inspire you to plan a pet-friendly picnic on Fiesta Island, take a hike with Fido at Torrey Pines State Park, check out some of the top 20 San Diego dog parks or see if your pet has what it takes to become an adventure animal! Whatever the season brings, I wish you a happy and safe star-spangled summer. Julie Hoisington Publisher/editor, San Diego Pets