Walking the Dog on Dark Winter Nights

As the caretaker of two black dogs, I heave a sigh when it’s time for night walks.  I live in an area that isn’t lit, so I occasionally trip over one of them when they feel the need to stop and sniff.  Then there is the whole “walking black dogs at night near traffic” nerve wracking experience.  I’ve tried different methods in the past with unspectacular results.

There are the reflective leashes that catch light and theoretically make it easier to see the dogs.  I discovered that the reflective bits flake off.  Never mind that they only reflect if there is light — so walking the dogs in the dark still makes it impossible to see them since there is no light to be reflected.  I have also tried the blinking collar light thingies and found that they always wind up under the dog’s chin where I still can’t see it or them.

I finally found the perfect thing!  Petlane offers a lighted collar and leash combination that is quick and easy.  It comes with two pieces.  One is attached to their collar with velcro, and the other is velcroed to the leash.  It’s powered by an easily replaceable watch battery and is good for up to 200 hours of light.  At last!  Something simple to put on as needed on any collar and leash that actually works!

It is finally possible to relax while taking the girls out for a night walk.  I no longer trip over them and drivers and pedestrians can see them from a distance.  Life is good.

If you’re interested, you can find these on The Camping Dog website in the Harnesses and Leashes section.

 

Winter Weather and Dog Readiness

China, Chelsea and I are preparing for a big life change.  We are moving from the temperate and damp Pacific Northwest to the cold and sunny midwest in November.  Preparing for this move got me thinking about the effects of weather and environmental changes on our pets.

Like us, dogs adapt to where they live.  For example, my two dogs are “urban” dogs.  They spend most of their days and nights indoors except when we’re out for walks, play, or trips.  They do not have thick winter fur because they have not needed it.   Sometimes, people who live in cold climates forget that their dogs are in the same boat.  Unless the dogs spend extended time outdoors on a regular basis, their winter coats will be much thinner than is really needed for cold and windy weather.

To be ready for the move, the girls now have nice fleece coats to keep them warm when we’re out on those subzero walks.  They’ve also got  nice rubber boots to protect the pads of their feet from ice, salted snow, and other cold weather hazards.  They look so cute, I had to share  pictures.

China in Bones and Dots

Chelsea in Hippy Chic

By the way – these coats are available on The Camping Dog Supplies website.

 

The Shelter System, What it Does to Dogs and Adoption Rules

This post is a rant – so if you’re looking for “niceness,” read no further.

I recently read an article about a local rescue place that has me in awe.  I love what is happening here.  Essentially, they take dogs deemed “unadoptable and aggressive” and give them a place to live.  A story recently appeared in a local paper about Snaps – a dog who was used by his previous owner to attack people that she attacked (yes – that’s what I said – SHE attacked people).  After an event where some folks were hurt, Snaps was put in the local shelter system and left alone for over two months.  The link to the story of this dog is http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20090921/news/309219996

I happen to be familiar with this particular shelter and used to do volunteer dog walking there.  They are hopelessly understaffed and severely under-funded.  In addition, the county wants to walk away from its responsibilities and turn the entire system over to nonprofit rescue groups because, after 40 years, they have yet to understand that animals live in the county, too.  I will contain my strong urge to jump on a soapbox here….

The thing I want to focus on in this article is what can happen to a dog in our shelter systems and rules around dog adoption.  While granting that treatment varies dramatically from public shelter to public shelter, one truth is that many of these groups have so little funding and staff that they cannot adequately address the needs of each animal.  The story of Snaps is a great case in point.

This is a dog that was taught (and abused into) behaviors that are not acceptable in an urban environment.  He was then violently taken away from the world he knew and thrown into a metal cage with no contact with anyone (with 2 or 4 legs) for months.  After more than 2 months of isolation, he was behaviorally tested and deemed to be a dangerous dog.

Duh! Of course he’s going to be scared and get aggressive!   This is yet another case of a dog being punished for bad human behavior.

Personally, I’m frustrated by our society’s refusal to accept responsibility for the behavior of our pets.  In many parts of the country, there are “dangerous dog” codes.  If you happen to be born a pit bull, you’re doomed to life isolated or in a muzzle because people are not held responsible for the training of their pets.

One of the gifts of walking dogs at the local shelter was being able to get to know pit bulls.  They are wonderful dogs!  And yes, they do require a specific kind of owner to make sure they stay wonderful.

For me, it raises the question – why can’t we seem to figure out that owners need to prove they are responsible before they have the right to adopt a dog?  Are we really that lazy as a species that it’s easier to blame our pets than recognize our own responsibilities in owning a pet?

As just one case in point, there is a woman I’ve met who recently adopted a 3-month old lab.  She doesn’t walk much; she doesn’t like to be outdoors; she gets upset that the dog chews up everything in sight – and she’s thinking about giving him away.

Why in the world was this woman allowed to adopt a dog that has intense physical activity needs????  But she can, and she did. This is a dog that will most likely end up in our shelter system because the owner is clueless.  The dog will be the one to suffer because we do not enforce the concept of responsibility in pet ownership.

How can we get this insanity and, frankly, passive form of animal cruelty, to stop?

 

Cold and Wet Weather – Cold and Wet Dogs are Coming!

The season is definitely changing.  Here in the Pacific Northwest it’s been pouring rain -  mud season has begun.  In other parts of the country, that fall nip is in the air.  It’s time to think about rain, snow and cold and your dog.  Between ice, snow and mud in their paws and getting soaked to the skin, it can be a messy time for you doing dog dry-downs and clean-ups and, for some breeds, a time of year where they’re just not having as much fun.

Many long-haired dogs, or breeds bred for colder climates, love the season change.  But many breeds, and especially dogs who live mostly indoors, don’t have time to acclimate to extreme temperature fluctuations.  Like us, dogs can be subject to colds and chills when going from warm indoor temperatures to cold and wet below freezing temperatures outside.

I used to think it was silly to put coats and boots on dogs.  I don’t think so any longer – especially after owning a dog with joint problems.

Protecting their paws – especially on chemical-treated snow and ice – can be important in helping prevent paw injuries.  Coats can go a long way to helping a dog adapt to extreme temperature changes – and, as the one who who has to clean them up after being outdoors, I really appreciate the simplicity of just taking the coat off and letting it dry, rather than wiping down wet dogs.

Finding good designs can be tricky at times.  Make sure you look at the design of the coat before getting one to make sure it’s easy to put on, will stay on, fits the length of your dog and its girth, and is easy to care for.  Getting booties that fit and stay on can be a challenge, too. Many dogs dislike boots because they have uncomfortable zippers or Velcro straps, and because they can’t feel the ground as solidly beneath their feet.  Test booties where possible to make sure your dog will keep them on and be comfortable before you make that buying decision.

That’s why I’m really to happy to have found a supplier of boots that are amazing.  Even greyhounds, who have feet and ankles that are the same size, can comfortably wear these boots.  And they’re completely waterproof!  Even dogs that hate boots like these.  An added benefit is that they’re eco-friendly, reusable, disposable and easy to put on.

I’m also pleased to have found a line of fleece dog coats that are well designed, extremely durable, come in many sizes and styles, and are very easy to care for.  Just throw them in the washing machine and either toss them in the dryer, hang them to dry, or shake them dry.  They’re just great!

If you’re looking for dog booties or coats, you can check out the selections on CampingDogSupplies.com.