Its cold outside

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

DH and I moved from the west coast of Canada (Vancouver) to Northern Ontario (Sault Ste Marie) 3 months ago... the weather is very different! We are used to pretty mild winters, so its a shock to the system having temperatures regularly in the minuses (Celsius). It has been pretty mild so far, but today is cold - minus 20 C. (-4 F)

Well I took Cooper out for her morning potty and play (fetch). The clasp on her long line (we do not have a fenced yard) was frozen solid so we had to use a leash. She went potty, then ran back inside - her legs were shaking. So.... 

When Cooper was smaller we bought her a fleece lined coat. She grew bigger than expected so it was too small (length wise. And often too warm. So we saved her coat for the odd time it got really cold in Vancouver (hahaha around minus 5 lol), and bought a rain slicker. Well, the fleece lined coat has been very useful here! Cooper likes it roomy, so it loos way too small, but it does the job.

I took Cooper out with her coat for another potty break, and her legs were shaking, she was moving very slow, then she lay down shaking (even though her fur is long). So.... I had an idea....

I have a degenerative spine (neck and upper back) damage (which is getting better from physio and chiropractic) which limits blood flow to my arms, so my arms are often cold, though my body is warm. My Grandma knitted me some "arm warmers"... I have 2 pairs that are shorter than the rest, perfect length for Cooper. I thought she would refuse to walk in them, but as long as they dont cover her feet she doesnt seem to mind them. Havent tried them outside yet... but heres a photo

I think Grandma might have to knit her pink leg warmers and a pink sweater (I am not one for dressing dogs up other than a rain coat.... but when its this cold....)

What do you do to keep your dood warm?

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

wow..great, I am going to steal it..

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Love it - I might have to resprt to that in the event the raincoats dont't work. When you get a chance, please visit the boys blog site at www.groovygoldendoodles.com I would love, love, love, to have you comment in their blog post from time to time. Your dood is adorable by the way!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I'm surprised that the leg warmers stayed up! Perhaps I should try this with Darwin.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

After testing them out outside, they worked really well, Cooper was happy, and even went into the ditch, knee deep in snow to poop!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

We don't really have a "too cold" issue here in southern Oregon but I did want to say that Cooper looks adorable in her leg warmers! Pink would be great!!!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

p.s. leg warmers are so cute!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

so far my doodles love the cold. I took them to the park yesterday and it was -28. I bundled up in so many layers, and all the doodles had were their new muttluks on. I'm such a wimp that I drove there in my car even though it is a 5 minute walk lol, and I kept the car running the whole time with the doors locked (yay for remote starters) in order to keep it warm. They were so happy running around I had to drag them home kicking and screaming when meanwhile I think I nearly got frostbite on my toes. This morning I learned my lesson. If I want to take them to the park in this weather I'm going to have to move right along with them. so we had a blast running around chasing each other and my body stayed much warmer with all the exercise.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

We rarely get anywhere close to freezing, let alone in the minus range, so I have no idea how Sedona would handle the cold.  I'm a big "woosie" and complain of being cold when the temperatures drop below 60!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Lovin those leg warmers!  My guys do have Winter coats for when it's really cold out. 

[Christine & Shelby]

Shelby and I live in Texas so our definition of cold is anything below 45, and really cold is below 30 which doesn't happen often.  I've never seen her cold.  Hot - yes... we had over 100 days of 100+ temps this past summer.

But.... Cooper looks adorable in her little leg warmers!   Absolutely adorable!