Some dogs love the snow

Ralph likes to keep a close eye on the neighborhood - and when there's something going on down the valley, the best spot is in the middle of the pasture below the house.

If we'd go for it, he'd lay outside and let himself be covered in snow as long as the temperatures don't fall below about 20 degrees. When it gets colder than that, he joins our short haired dogs in making quick trips in and out!

But... Although he seems to think snow and cold in moderation are just fine, when he comes in he needs that snow and ice removed from his "feathers" and between his toes. We trimmed those feathers this year, just to keep the snowballs from annoying him so much.

City dogs need more than snow and ice removal - if you've been out on sidewalks where de-icer has been used, your dogs need their feet washed with soapy water, rinsed, and dried.

The salt and toxic chemicals that make walking easy for you are NOT good for your dog's feet - and are even worse for his tummy when he starts licking it off. If I lived in the city, I think I would invest in doggie booties.

I've posted a whole article on cold-weather dog care at my Do You Love Dogs site, so if you aren't sure what to do, give it a read.

Too cold for dogs and cats

For the past several days we've been busy keeping warm! Hauling in more wood than usual to keep the fire burning brightly when the high for the day is a blistering twelve. Overnight low was minus 12.

But - we're OK. No ice storms, no roofs caved in, no power outages. Other people are having a tough time - we're just chilly if we go out.

The dogs, who generally want to go out and spend 20 minutes 2 or 3 times during the evening, now rush out, do what they need to do, and come barking at the door. Even the Tiger - that big yellow ball of feline fur - wants back in almost as soon as he goes out.

Since my house has lots of glass, and since the cold has done something funky to my sliding door - the one right next to my desk - I used push pins to hang a comforter over the door. Looks pretty low-rent, but helps keep the cold out and the warm in.

Today I heard one of the pins pop out - which isn't too strange since they don't push in very far. Then in a minute, another one popped, so I turned to look and saw the comforter moving around. In the next instant the whole thing came down - right on top of a Pepper dog who then could not figure out which way was out of there!

Since the sun was shining at that moment I didn't hurry to put it back up - and in a few minutes, there was Pepper, comfortably curled on top of his "new bed." Hmmm... did he deliberately take that down so he could have a comfy spot near my desk? You never know with a Pepper dog. He does like to be comfortable.

Unfortunately, not all dogs have such privileges. I heard about one yesterday who is living in a van because his people moved in to town and the landlord doesn't allow dogs. They're going out into the country once a day to feed him. I wonder if they're remembering warm water. Once a day isn't sufficient, but is definitely better than the poor thing trying to hydrate his body with snow.

I hope he's the same dog I got an email about this afternoon - one who is now living in a foster home and looking for a permanent home.

When we had a dog whose bathroom habits dictated that she live outdoors, we had a heated water bowl that sat next to her dog house with its heated bed. I just wish all dogs could be so loved.

Cats need water too - so if you have outdoor cats (or dogs,) remember to set a bowl of warm water out a few times a day- or get a heated bowl and keep it full. And remember to thump the hood of your car every time before starting it. Many a cat has lost life or limb from crawling up in the engine compartment to get warm. We rescued one once who had just a bloody stump for a tail...

A friend of mine has an outdoor cat that isn't really much of a "people kitty." But she managed to get her into the laundry room night before last. Turns out that cat preferred the cold to the house - she was NOT happy. And my friend wasn't happy with the mess she made. So her sheltered bed is filled with woolen blankets to cozy down into.

Stay warm...