Hot Stuff!!!! Where there's smoke there's..........

[Carol and Banjo]

During the winter we heat our house primarily with wood.    For the most part Banjo has shown little interest in the woodstove (which is located in the main living area of the house).  Just recently he started laying on the floor in front of the stove.  We have had to chase him away because his coat gets HOT to the touch.   He seems totally oblivious to the heat - I can only guess that his coat is so thick that it's hot on the surface but only warm at the skin level (???).    Well, just now he was standing in front of the stove, sort of sniffing around on the lip of the stove right at the glass door.  And I before I could even shoo him away I saw what appeared to be a puff of smoke!   I was sure it was my imagination but NO  it was smoke!   He actually singed the hair around his brow!   AGAIN......totally oblivious!!!!     I can't believe he can have his face that close to the heat.  I stand 20" or so away sometimes to warm myself and my pants get  hot to the touch.  So now, it seems we have yet another thing to add to our list of no no's for Banjo.    What's with him????

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

First of all, I am jealous that you can heat your house primarily with wood. The propane and oil bills are killing us this year :) I guess Banjo really is hot stuff! I am surprised he can't feel or smell the heat and smoke. Silly doodle. Can you get a grate or something to block his access to the woodstove? Our doodles are so hot, all the time, that I am just as shocked when they are happy to lay in the snow when it is freezing outside.

[Carol and Banjo]

Believe me Laurie.....There are times we wonder why we bother....cutting, hauling, splitting and stacking 3 cords of wood is a lot of work! And then there's the mess!   I try to convince myself that it's good exercise (it is really) and I do love the feel of the heat from a stove.    We could put an expandable fence around the stove...but it isn't really practicle or pretty.  I think I'm going to have to just watch him  like a hawk and I certainly can't leave him loose while I'm upstairs in the shower.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We used to have a fireplace screen that was free standing and hinged into three parts.  We also had one that was also free standing that was one big piece that was curved sided and topped.  They both were black and ok looking.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

They do sell pretty "grates" to block off the woodstove.  My daughter had one when her kids were "crawlers".  It was black wrot iron, and it really did look nice.

[Anna and Achilles]

Is there some kind of guard (gate) you can put around it to keep Banjo safe? He sounds so funny, I could see him giving you this look like what's the problem mom?

[Melissa]

THat is so strange that he doesn't seem bothered.  I made a cup of hot cocoa one time and Buddy tried to sniff it.  I think he actually got a quick lick of the side of the mug before I could stop him and it was obvious that it was too hot for him and I said the word "hot" several times and of course gave him a few ice cubes to help cool his tongue.  Now when I have the hot cocoa in my hand he starts to get close and I say "hot" and he curls his lips and backs away. 

[Carol and Banjo]

I really do wonder sometimes if Banjo feels pain.   I know Shelly started a discussion about this last week sometime and several people said the same thing.   I am going to look into some type of gate.  I think I figured out that this morning he was going for the ash that had collected on the tray.    Being a "neat freak" I usually keep that clean but DH has been home for several days...and I've gotten out of my cleaning routine.  He had his face VERY close to the glass door.....I would have thought that if nothing else his nose would have felt the tremendous heat coming off the glass.     Seems to me instinct would kick in and protect any animal from heat/fire....they'd naturally want to keep their distance.

[Candy & Hudson]

I don't have any other suggestions, but I thought Hudson would know better about 'hot' things too and he really doesn't lol He jumped on me one day while I was holding a steaming cup of tea so after spilling it all over my hand I set it on the ground for a second and he stuck his tongue right in the cup and let out a LOUD yelp! He has continued to try to drink hot tea/coffee... silly dood. He also runs for the oven when I open the door so I have to make sure he is tied on somewhere when I do, or I am sure he would put his paws on the hot door to get a sniff of whats cookin' haha..

[Carol and Banjo]

Ohhhh...Hudson!!!   We have to be so careful with these guys.    I have always made Banjo sit a good distance from where I'm working in the kitchen.   When I need to open the oven I know he's in a good sit/stay.   But, that said, I still worry .... anything can happen!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Banjo buddy, I know you're " hot" but this may be a bit extreme. We have a woodstove as well but we rarely light it as both the doodle and I find it too warm but you cant't beat them for making a place feel cozy.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Poor Banjo!  Thankfully he wasn't hurt!  Can you put an ex-pen around the stove so he can't get too close?