It’s not just the safety of humans along our coast that RNLI Lifeguards are concerned with – but beloved pet dogs too.

This tiny pooch had gone ‘walkies’ on Skegness beach and got lost before being handed over to the lifeguards.

It was taken into the shade of their Lifeguard tower for some refreshments until its owner could be found.

RNLI Lifeguards Lincolnshire posted the photos to Facebook on May 24. A spokesperson said: “It’s not just humans we help – this tiny little girl got lost on the beach yesterday.

One of the RNLI Lifeguards at Skegness beach with the little dog they helped.

placeholder image — One of the RNLI Lifeguards at Skegness beach with the little dog they helped.

"We gave her a drink and kept her safe until we managed to find her mum and big sister.”

Thankfully this little dog was fine, but the beach rescue comes as vets are warning owners to be extra careful with their dogs in the heat.

Rachel Garbutt, a Vet Nurse at Butternut Box, has shared some of the symptoms of heatstroke in dogs to look out for.

"Heat exhaustion in dogs can escalate to life-threatening heatstroke within 15 minutes, but owners often miss the subtle early warning signs," explains Rachel. "Unlike humans, dogs can't tell us they're feeling unwell. By the time they show obvious distress, permanent organ damage may already be occurring."

"The progression from heat stress to heatstroke follows a predictable pattern, but the early signs are easily mistaken for normal summer behaviour. Excessive panting might seem normal, but when combined with other subtle indicators, it signals an emergency developing."

Symptoms

"Watch for the 'triangle of concern' - excessive panting, drooling and restlessness together indicate heat stress. Other early signs include seeking cooler surfaces obsessively, refusing treats, or seeming 'off' in their behaviour. Take rectal temperature if you suspect problems - anything above 39.5°C requires immediate veterinary attention. Don't wait for collapse or vomiting."

"Certain dogs face exponentially higher risks during summer heat," emphasises Rachel Garbutt.

Travel Timing

"Even experienced dog owners can make critical timing errors when travelling during heat waves,” warns Rachel. “The difference between a safe journey and a veterinary emergency often comes down to a 20-minute window. Car temperatures can rise by 20°C in just 10 minutes. Never, ever leave a dog unattended in a car during hot weather - even with the windows cracked - as temperatures can reach dangerous levels within minutes.”