This summer, Chris Taylor, 29, experienced a terrible tragedy.

That’s when he stepped outside to enjoy the nice, sunny day with his cherished seven-year-old black labrador, O.G. They then used the beach as a chance to cool off.

However, that’s when the unimaginable occurred: O.G. swallowed salt water and died.

“He was incredibly lively in spirit. He would most enjoy playing tennis with a ball and a stick in a large body of water” said Chris.

For dogs, saltwater toxicity can be lethal.

Chris Taylor, who tragically lost his close friend O.G. this summer, is all too aware of this. To go swimming, they were at a beach close to Tampa, Florida. Chris had no idea that it would end tragically, though.

Chris observed his dog appeared a little lightheaded and confused later that day. He got diarrhea as well. O.G. became more and more sick till at last he had to be put down.

“It still feels surreal” Taylor said, “It doesn’t seem realistic. I need to come to terms with the fact that he is no longer with me.”

Dr. Melissa Webster, a veterinarian, says that controlling saltwater sickness in dogs is challenging since each dog responds differently to it.

“I was only at the beach for about ten minutes the first time I took my puppy along. He was sipping it as if it were pool water. Therefore, ten minutes was more than sufficient for him” she added.

Her recommendation is to minimize your dog’s time in the ocean and to carry plenty of clean drinking water to the beach for them.