I love my dog and take her virtually everywhere with me...except long roadtrips. I like to go where it's hot and it's not good for her in hot climates. She is a Belgian Shepherd with fairly long, thick fur and can't take the heat well. And taking a dog will limit where you can go and what you can do quite a bit. But if you are willing to make those concessions, go for it!

One thing I do when I take Baby with me and the weather is fairly warm and I need to make a stop: I put those interior windshield covers in both the front and back windows to deflect as much sun from coming in as possible. I then put smaller window covers on the side windows that attach with suction cups. I have a small, battery-operated fan that I then put on the dash and turn on. I leave the windows cracked about 2". Then I run like heck through the store to get back before the dog overheats. Of course, parking in shade is great if you can find it but, remember, the sun moves and the shade may not be there when you get back.

I tell you this because this might be a way to make your dog comfortable for short explorations to places where your dog can't go. However, even these precautions won't save your dog from possible heat stroke if it's real hot and you're gone for more than a little bit.

Of course, boarding your dog for a day here and there might be another good option.