I had a great time making new furry – and not so furry – friends at the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Competition. While up in Petaluma, I witnessed spraying bottles, dabbing with damp towels, and plenty of other owners trying to keep their pets cool in the 95-degree heat. While I chatted with the super-sweet Heather Peoples (who came all the way from Phoenix with her husband and Xoloitzcuintle, Reggie), I got to hold Archie, who had his moment in the sun as World's Ugliest Dog from 2006!Since many of the doggies were short-haired or hairless breeds, I was curious how to keep these pets safe in the scorching sun . . . especially considering the reigning champion has skin cancer already. Learn how Archie deals with the heat, as well as checking out some recommended sunscreens just for pets when you read more.

PS: How do your dogs deal with the heat in Phoenix?
HP: They go outside to go to the bathroom, come in, and lie on the floor. They have sunblock, they have lotion. Right now I'll do it three times while we're here, I do lotion twice a day, and they're getting baths three to four times a week . . . especially since we've been here 'cause it's humid. He smells so he goes into the shower. It's like an assembly line. One in, one out. [Note: Her other pooch, Reggie, was competing as well.]

PS: Do you have a pet-friendly sunscreen that you can recommend?
HP: I use one from Crazy Dog. I've found a lot of the spray-ons work really, really nice.

PS: He doesn't feel greasy.
HP: The good ones spray on and go right in. I made the mistake, when I first found out that they had to do sunblock, I was getting the baby kind . . . Water Babies. Bad idea, it was a very bad experience for him. He had a white stripe down his back, because it wouldn't soak in and couldn't get it to rub in!