I don’t run or jog. I never have.

When the zombie apocalypse happens (see the CDC’s preparedness plan here) I will not be able to escape. I might as well douse my head in Hollandaise sauce and hope I give the brain-feasting monsters high cholesterol.

But some of you health nuts out there do jog (I know because I swerve to miss you as I drive along in my VW Beetle) and I know some of you take your dog with you.

I might add that I heartily approve of your running regimen because fit people like you and your dog are why the human and canine species will survive, whereas I will be a succulent meal for the undead.

But let me share a reminder that, while today’s temperature and humidity are almost ideal, when the weather gets really hot, your dog might need to sit out the daily jog.

I got this little tidbit from PETA, and I must admit that my lack of affinity for that group makes me ignore most of its messages, but this is a good one so I wanted to share.

Unlike zombies, dogs want to please us. Sometimes they push themselves beyond their physical limits to make us happy. While all that sweat you are producing as you run keeps you cool, the only way a dog can cool down is to pant for air and sometimes that’s just not enough.

Dogs can suffer from dehydration and heat stroke from too much exercise in the hot sun.  I’m pretty sure that’s true of chubby women who drive VW Beetles, too.  So I’ll take my chances with the zombies, I guess.

If you do jog with your dog, do it only on moderate days and take lots of water breaks.

On days when the temperatures are soaring, the air is liquid with humidity and the sun feels like it’s just hanging a few feet above your head,  just casually walk your pooch for his or her exercise in the coolest time of the morning or evening and run solo.

I would also recommend one of those little fold-up water bowls (here’s an example right here, but they sell them at all the pets supply stores and probably sporting goods stores, too) so you can share some hydration with your pooch while you are out, no matter what the weather or activity level.

So the message is:  Stay fit but stay safe.  And keep a vigilant eye out for zombies and distracted, chubby women in silver VW Beetles, of course.