Here in Colorado we have had much cold and snow.....which is a tough road to walk when you do plan to get out and walk almost every day with your pup.
I encourage you to be careful with their feet. Yesterday morning, Molly went out to go potty and the temp was -11. It really was the first time I have seen her pick up her paws as if to say: "man it is cold!" Please keep an eye on your pet and encourage them to make it quick when they go outside. When Molly returns to me and I wipe her feet inside, it is then that I realize how cold her feet feel to me....even after a few minutes!
If you see a pet being left outside in the cold, please report that neighbor, or go and speak with them....it really is abuse to leave a dog outside right now in all of this cold. I know of stories where the animal lost it's legs due to frostbite from neglect. It is sad when this happens and we really need to speak up for those who can't.
My hopes are that you are staying warm by a cozy fire with your dog by your feet or your cat on your lap. HAPPY FEBRUARY ALL!
Wow it sure has been a while since we have written here...the New Year is upon us and January here in Colorado has been mostly warm. I am surprised at how few days Molly and I have missed walking because of bad weather - I think only one this month!
I am on a quest to work off a few extra pounds put on during the holidays because of all the goodies. Who doesn't like chocolate? And we always seem to acquire so much during Christmas. By the New Year I am really sick of all of it for sure....and let's not forget that we have Valentine's Day coming in February!
What I would most like to talk about is to please don't let your pups stay out in this cold too much. I watch two small dogs in the afternoon when I visit them to let them out to go potty. They love to play in the snow, but even after a half hour, they are ready to come inside and the female usually holds up her paw as if to say: "my poor feet are cold."
If you see someone neglecting their pup, please report it. The nights here have been getting down into the 20's or below, so no matter how warm it is during the day, there seems to be a dramatic change at night.
During the winter, let us all keep our pets safe and warm....and let us watch out for those who cannot speak for themselves!
May you have a safe, happy, and healthy NEW YEAR!
Blessings,
Max and Molly
We are getting an artic blast here in Colorado and all I can think of is keeping my dog safe and warm in all of this weather. When it dips down in the minus degrees it really is dangerous to leave your pet outside.
I currently let a couple of dogs out in the afternoon....yesterday they thought they could play in the snow, but quickly found out that it was too cold. The female pup did hold up her paw in protest to the cold snow. So please remember to take care, and be on the watch even when you let your dog out to go potty!!
My Molly's feet feel extremely cold when I let her out just for a few minutes. In other words, right now, it is not fit for man or beast!! Keep your pet safe! A warm dog is a happy dog!
My Molly and I are still able to walk daily here in Colorado....we have had a couple of beautiful weeks of warm weather....sometimes in the 60's. I love it because by midday, the sun feels so warm and we can walk long and hard and not get too sweaty.
I currently have a couple of clients that I see every day too and we walk as well. I wonder sometimes why I am very tired at night, and then I realize that I have been on 3 walks in a day! All of this is good however, for me and the pups too. We are all keeping in shape and definitely sleeping well!
Remember to walk your pet whenever you can. If you can't, then get someone who can. They need the daily exercise. It helps to keep their weight down. They will be happier and healthier too. But you both will benefit the most just being together and seeing the wonderful outdoors. And your pup will love you for it!
Over the summer and now into the Fall, Molly and I have done many walks together. The wonderful thing about walking is all that you see, smell and feel as you walk along, not to mention how good it all is for your health.
I will admit that my clothes are a little looser on me now....so glad for that! Molly is keeping healthy as well and she looks forward to our walks daily. We have walked in rain, sunshine, and now snow.
We have seen all sorts of creatures too....all types of birds, snakes, and lots of deer. When we come upon another dog, Molly is excited to meet....but I always hold her leash tightly not knowing what to expect. I always ask if the other person's dog is friendly. Sometimes people don't want their dog to interact with yours so keep that in mind.
In Parker we have a leash law and it is for your dog's safety to keep him or her on the leash. One day while walking, I had Molly heeling next to me. We started to walk across the street as a car had stopped in the crosswalk to let us go. The car behind the first car decided to speed around and drive through the crosswalk anyway. I am certain that if I didn't have Molly right next to me, that this car would have hit her! So I cannot stress enough the importance of a leash.
Molly and I will continue walking now through the winter. With that comes coats, sweaters, gloves, hats and boots. Winter is more difficult to deal with because it takes more work to just get out the door. I love the freedom of summer to just throw on a pair of walking shoes and go! But in the end, that won't stop me. Molly always comes to me with her sweet face and that look that says: "can we go walk now"?
Fall will be here before we know it....there are subtle changes happening in my neighborhood. It is darker in the a.m., the air is cooler and yesterday I noticed some trees starting to change. Most people will tell you that Fall is their favorite time of year, but it always makes me kinda sad realizing that winter is not far behind. I am definitely a fair weather girl and I love summer and the heat!
I am currently watching some pups for a friend who lives near me.... the best part is that I can drive to her house or walk. The walk takes me about a half hour to get from my door to hers!
The other day I was walking along a path that connects my neighborhood to hers. There is a wide open space with pasture next to this path, and I noticed that someone had put up a gate that I could walk though, but with a sign that said: CATTLE CROSSING, MAKE SURE TO CLOSE GATE! This was new to me so I took note of it.
On my way back I had to go through the gate again, and just as I arrived the owner of that pasture was walking with a whole herd of cows following behind him. They were right at my level and were looking at me and mooing - they were so beautiful with their big brown eyes! So this gentlemen and I exchanged words about the weather and how he was taking care of his cows and moving them to higher ground since we had experienced so much rain! He was a happy man and it was so interesting to see his cows following him! This encounter made my day for sure. My only regret is that I didn't have my sweet Molly with me....I would have loved to see her reaction!
Enjoy every day as it comes.....Fall will be here soon, and before we know it, the snow will be flying!
Molly and I have had quite a summer together.... we have walked nearly every day except for when I have been gone on a weekend, then my husband has walked with Molly too. She has had friends to come and play and walk with her and she loves it. That is Molly above with her two friends: Daisy and Stoli.
On our many walks we always manage to see something that makes me feel blessed by having a pet to take care of and love. I would not see all that I have seen this summer if Molly did not need that daily walk.
Today as we were walking we came upon a house with a dog running free in the backyard. At first I thought he was loose, but I soon realized that he had an invisible fence. You could see it on his collar. Anyway, he was running at full speed around his house over and over again! This house was a huge ranch so it took him a bit to make it all the way around. He looked so free and happy with tail wagging and tongue hanging out!
Molly and I stopped to watch for a while.....it made me wonder if all those doggies in Heaven just run and run with the freedom of being so loved by our Heavenly Father! I am one of those who believes that ALL dogs go to Heaven and so I take comfort that my Charlie is up there running free right now.
When we put Charlie down over a year ago, I watched and felt his spirit go out of his sweet body.....and I know that spirit went somewhere. He was gone to a better place.....an animal with so much love to give like a dog, cannot be ignored by GOD. GOD spelled backwards is DOG so I have to wonder about this creature. They are special. They are full of love for us and a joy to own. So, give your pup some extra special love today, and may all those dogs in Heaven run free forever!
