COLD WEATHER FUN

[Cathy C. Bennett]

This recent climate shift in our region has really given new meaning to our interpretation of cold weather fun. Leo seems to struggle at times with wanting to stay outside vs. enduring the low temperature…

I keep telling him we are not polar bears

He tries so hard to take “Wilson” on our walks. I want to dissuade him, because I know his little rubber furrend has got to be cold in his mouth. But we bring him along anyway…

It’s tough trying to be a responsible doodle

It’s so cold, I’ve been especially concerned about their feet and in particular, their paw pads. Whether it’s frostbite from ice balls between the pads and toes – or burns from the chemicals in the deicers on the ground, I’ve become Sherlock Holmes examining eight paws every time we return from our shorten walks. I want to make sure there are no changes in their pads to warrant concern.

The Boys don’t wear boots. Yes I know they wear raincoats, and snowsuits, but when it came to the boots, both Harley and Leo made it clear they had their limitations, this was not gonna happen – ever! But I did try.

With these shorter walks, and extended indoor activities – I am running out of “doodle fun stuff”to do here. So when I read  We Got A Double Wide from our new furrend Emma, I thought this would be the pawfect solution to our cold weather fun dilemma…

Our new BFF for inclement weather fun!

It’s 18 feet long, with a 24 inch opening. We can snake it around the basement and spend “oodles and doodles” of fun in it. Who knows I just might be able to help Leo conquer his fear of agility tunnels from last spring and summer when we failed that session in Agility Training.

Harley has no fear but could use some “remedial” training to help him understand that he’s to go“through” the thing, not hurdle over the top…

Another one of those pics where I have no words…

And if I scurry through there a couple of times myself, I can continue with my New Year Resolution to Resolve To Move My Mutt.

Thanks so much Emma, you’re the best!

After I ordered the tunnel (Emma’s mom sent me the link.), The Boys went outside one last time before turning in. Seemed as soon as I closed the sliding doors leading to the backyard, they returned. It had to be “frigid” out there, because Leo came barreling up the deck steps all on his own. Usually I have to go out there and coax him back into the house.

I checked for ice balls, and dried their feet really well, but when they both ran to their beds and preceded to lick their pads. I decided to apply some Espree Paw Balm on them…

Harley always has to examine everything

It’s nice and thick and the “Rich Lanolin, Beeswax, Vitamin E, Arnica and Comfrey” ingredients helps to ”reduce cracking and possible injury against rough rocky roads, hot tar or pavement surfaces, ice and salt.”

I applied a generous portion, rubbing each pad for a few minutes while watching the football game with DH. Now that they were all greasy and shiny, I didn’t want them slip sliding all over my floor, so I had to improvise…

Thank goodness for old footies, they are now great booties for them!

They never moved, in fact they slept like babies…

It was comical to watch them fall asleep

Even after I took the socks off…

Harley snored like an old man

Petfinder has a nice article on Caring for Your Pups Paws in the Winter. Trust me, it may sound like a lot of work, but it’s really not, and at the end, in their own way, they will thank you for it…

Just for that, I’ll rub some more paws tonight

Tunnel fun arrives on Thursday, can’t wait, and of course I’ll take pics. Thanks for reading, please stay warm, and be safe…

[Miss Ellie]

We tried the boot thing as well and Ellie made it very clear that she was totally not impressed!

[Robin and Libby Louise]

I love the socks!  Libby would never allow the cream, let alone the socks.  Got her some boots the other day and put one on to try for size - she sat there smacking us with her booted paw and refused to put that paw down on the floor.  Summary - no boots for Libby!  Love your blogs, and your doodles!  Stay warm!