As I got back from this mornings run and the kids all had icicles hanging from their faces it occurred to me to talk about cold weather and dobes. I know many of you are living in warm Florida and California and the rest of us are jealous! But here it was 0 Degrees Fahrenheit this morning and we went for our morning 3 miles. Naturally I have to dress warm or my bald head freezes, but what about the dogs? Dobes still enjoy a good romp in the snow from time to time, you just need to pay attention to a few things. Because their feet are warm, it melts the snow and then it re-freezes and balls up in their feet. At best it causes discomfort, at worst it can cause frostbite with prolonged exposure. One quick and easy fix is to rub some Vaseline in between their toes and pads before you go out to play. It’s great on the carpet when they come back in too! Just kidding, be sure you wipe it back off before coming inside. Dobes can be out a short time without coats etc. providing they stay dry. A wet dog is a frozen dog. If you will be out a little while, or if conditions will be wet, I really like the orange neoprene vests Cabela’s sells. Also how much movement the dog is allowed affects their warmth.  If they are walking slowly on a leash, they may not generate enough body heat to be in the cold unprotected, when they are running free alongside the four wheeler for 2-3 miles, they stay warm enough so long as they are dry. Then it is quickly home to the heated tile of the sunroom to dry off and lounge around. If any of you have some fun snow pictures we would love to see them! Hope you all stay warm and dry this cold holiday season!

God Bless,