Doggone Etiquette —

Winter ‘Whoas’

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:  

Are you getting just a little fed up with all these winter wonders – like snow, ice and freezing temps?   You are not alone. Your Very Important People probably are, too. The only difference is that they can close their eyes and think about all the things they plan to do when spring sunshine finally arrives.  You are stuck with a life in today. Sometimes you do dream about yesterday (chasing squirrels and yelping as you go) but as far as we know the idea of “tomorrow” is unavailable to dogs. (Sorry ‘bout that!) Let’s see what can be done to help.

A Word to the Dog’s Owners:

We can’t let up on the extra care of our dogs as long as this frigid weather is with us. People tend to get more colds, runny noses and sore throats in winter, and it’s just as important to keep an eye on the health of your dog. If you have any suspicion at all that your dog is not feeling up to par, take him to his “second best friend” the vet. Better to pay for one check-up visit than to put it off and have to face a large outlay for something that has developed into a serious condition.

Tails, ears and all four feet are susceptible to frostbite. You may notice Rufus is holding his ear in an unusual way, or he may be fussing with his tail a lot. Those heavy pads on the dog’s feet only offer only a limited amount of protection against frostbite. While dogs trained for sled racing often wear boots to safeguard their feet, I doubt that many pets in this or surrounding towns are running for 25 or 50 miles on ice! (If your Rufus tolerates such footwear, go for it.) But do watch to be sure your dog is not hopping on three legs, or licking his feet more than usual. Even when he’s not covered in snow, give him a good rub down with a bath towel when he comes in, and include the pads of those feet.

Speaking of rub downs, most dogs enjoy what we would refer to as spa treatment. A firm, but gentle, body massage with special attention to the shoulders, back and a stretch of the hind legs just might make him think spring sunshine is not far off. Well, it might not, but it certainly will make him feel good! Brushing, combing and overall grooming are essential in all four seasons of the year, not so much for looks as for health.

The reverse of frostbite is something else to be aware of, and that’s heat from the fireplace or space heater. Kids are warned not to get too close to the burning logs in the fireplace because they sputter, and the sparks burn. Make sure the fire screen is securely in place. Kids know if they touch the heater in the wrong spot, they’ll get burned. Try explaining any of that to Rufus! Don’t bother! Just tell him where he can “Down” safely, and then be sure he doesn’t roll over in his enjoyment of the warmth and put himself in jeopardy.

Winter can be beautiful, and many of us thoroughly enjoy it, but won’t we all be glad when the ice on the roads is gone and the wind doesn’t cut into us? I’m sure our dogs will be!

                                                                                                               

Until next time – BE GOOD!

-  Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award last year.