We’re in the midst of winter in the northeast. Thursday we had a blizzard that dumped about a foot of snow on top of the six or so we already had on the ground. The state and towns are pretty good about pre-treating the roads BEFOREa storm, but the chemicals they use on the roads, can really do a number on little paws. Add in some Arctic air, with temperatures dropping below zero, and walks can be challenging.
There have been walks where both dogs have lifted up paws, because they’ve gotten road chemicals, or snow in their paws. Sometimes they come up limping, or sometimes they just stop and wait for you to wipe their feet. After it happens once or twice, and you’ve used your gloves to wipe a foot, you come up with the only conclusion you can.
COATS and BOOTS.
One dog will wear a coat. One dog will not.
One dog will stay still while you put the boots and coat on.
One dog runs and tries to hide, or just refuses to get off the couch.
One dog tolerates boots fairly well. One dog walks like Frankenstein every time the boots go on. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Honestly, you’d think she was a house elf and I was trying to give her clothes.
It’s not the greatest picture, because I was too far away, but she thinks by hiding on the couch, she can get away without wearing boots.
I’ve reached an age where I’m particular about the battles I fight. I won’t fight the coat battle. My thought is, we move along at a pretty decent clip, and if it’s too cold, I can always cut the walk short.
But I will fight the boot battle. I insist they wear the boots on their back feet, and I carry a small dish towel to wipe front paws if the need arises.
Yesterday she tried to climb into Daddy’s lap to avoid getting the boots on. Of course we laughed. I mean you can’t help but laugh because she’s just so damn dramatic, I started calling her the Diva of Drama.
What did your pet do to make you laugh this week?
You make me laugh, (or smile). The sweet, funny, loving things dogs do that make us laugh or smile.
lol!! diva of drama..love it.
maybe she thinks that if you see how all comfy she is on the sofa you will let it her stay in.
and if all else fails run to dad. he will protect me from the heartless wicked witch with those evil booties. lol
While none of us are thrilled to wear boots, we do stay pretty much in one spot and allow Mom to put them on. We know the result is inevitable, so we just do it. You are pretty funny thinking you are safe in your dad’s lap!
I guess I’m lucky with Torrey, she likes her boots when we are in the desert. She makes me laugh because she runs in them like a 5 year old with new shoes.
We’ve been having lots of wrestling matches over boots lately, too (thankfully the only dog that needs a coat LOVES her coat and basically dives into it). Some days, I don’t fight the boot war, but there are certain days when it’s a non-negotiable (like the days when we’ve been trapped inside and we need to go play in the yard or I’m going to check myself into the loony bin and they can’t play outside for more than 2 minutes without boots on). I’m sorry that your Diva Dog didn’t get the protection she was hoping for by hiding on dad’s lap 😉
OMD, Delilah! You and Ducky were cut from the same cloth! It took months for her to get used to wearing the harness, forget about boots and a coat! Though, if she’s going to be outside in this frigid air for more than 5 minutes, I do make her wear her winter coat. I just don’t use the straps for her rear legs. I won’t even try the Pawz booties – she’ll just pull them off or refuse to move. 🙄
…”walks like Frankenstein”…love this mental picture of your little diva.
I can’t seem to get my comments accepted.
trying again …”walks like Frankenstein”…love this mental picture of your little diva.
nevermind…I am being toyed with
You can run, but you cannot hide, D. Sometimes, even Daddy can’t protect you from the boots. Mom thinks I’m funny because I act like she’s killing me when she is putting my boots on. I swear to God I can’t put my foot down once the boots are on. But then when all 4 are in place and I have had my cookie, I leap off the chair and I’m ready to roll. She says I am a phony.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I gave up the boot battle. They use sand and not salt here. I have a paw protector for when it is reasonable. With temps around -40 we haven’t been out much!
Ah yes, the boot battle. Sam gives me the hang-dog look as if I just stepped on his baby sister and then reflexively tries to flick them off with each step. The Marx Brothers couldn’t provide more ridiculous humor. Luckily both dogs seem to enjoy coats though Elsa tries to weave her Ninja magic between me and Sam as I hitch him up. Her twirling like a dervish every. time. when we get ready to go for walks provides giggles by me and tail wags then ensue. It’s a great way to start out the day. Stay warm and safe.
Oh Delilah. Have you mastered the ‘if i’m not looking at you then i don’t have to do it’ face? Merlin does this everytime i ask him to do something he doesn’t want to do. He loves the sound of his collar and leash, but turns into a drama queen when i go to put them on him.
Cricket is such a drama queen too. We haven’t fought the boots battle yet this year. Since we don’t walk on roads and the cold doesn’t seem to bother her paws I won’t get them out if I don’t have to.
But if our temperatures don’t get better, Luke is going to need them (I think it needs to be above 20 for a few days to make the snow feel warmer to his paws), and I just know it’s not going to go well (it completely surprises me that he likes wearing coats and sweaters.
But isn’t it funny when you try to do something simple and harmless to them and they act like you are tormenting them so? Well, we have to laugh or we’d just be pulling our hair out!
Oh bless her, sometimes you have to laugh