Dog Days of Summer?

It may not be summer yet, but this heat wave has got everyone out in force with very few clothes on. Yesterday I went to the "island" which lies directly across the river from our apartment. You can get there on foot by crossing a footbridge which spans the river. On the other side is a beach... yes, a beach! I have heard some say that it is far too dirty to swim, but I saw quite a few bathing in the water. Someone told us today that they use the "frog test". If you see a live frog, then it's safe to go in the water. We saw both a live and a dead one. I spent time on the island with a Ukainian friend sketching foresty things. Inland from the "beach" are lots of trees and benches where one can have a picnic. It was charming to look at, but the weather was muggy and hot. This heat wave brought the temperature up to 95 degrees today! Most people don't think of high temperatures when they think of Kyiv. We have finally gotten rid of the mosquitoes by getting a fan allowing us to close the windows at night. Joe says he "is in heaven" (relatively speaking, of course).

The dogs are out too. Kyiv happens to have the healthiest stray population I have ever seen. Most of them are pretty fit looking and not afraid of humans. I think people treat them better than in most countries. I have never seen them be aggressive either. However, recently there was an article in the Kyiv post that says that animal control is not organized or even existant here. When we got home today from an outing, one guy (this time I mean a dog - although in the past it has been a wino) was sprawled on the concrete first-floor level of the stairwell. He looked up from the darkness blinking as we climbed up to our second-floor flat. They are pretty-darned cute, smart, and full of personality. We have even seen packs that regulary hang out together. Cesar Millan was right!