The mountain cold is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s especially fun for our fluffy residents.
It could be the mud by the front door, the damp back seats of your car, or the paw prints spotted throughout the hallway—if you have a dog, you know winter is here. Your pup might even be anxious for more snow after the taste we had earlier this month.
Take Rome McFadyen and his adopted big sister, Vienna. If they could speak, they would likely say that snow adds new layers to play time.
“They started doing that little tip toeing and once they got used to it they played and played,” their mom Jessie says, remembering the first big snowfall this year. “They would eat the snow and throw it up in the air, they were really cute about it.”
Of course the snow brings a fresh set challenges to puppy parents.
“It’s muddy and gross,” says Tamara Oljaca. She has a five year old pit bull, Noah, who makes the most out of every season.
“He gets excited in the snow, we call him Snow-ah,” she says.
McFadyen echoes some of Oljaca’s frustrations.
“Winter is always such hard time when you’re a dog owner because you have to bundle up to go outside. The dog parks are still running, which is great because you don’t have to go hiking,” says McFadyen. “But I do hikes year round because I have snow gear, so I suck it up.”
Be prepared
Although snow is good for play, dogs can be sensitive to cold weather.
Your dog might need a jacket, especially smaller breeds such as chihuahuas. You’ll also want to pick up some vet approved moisturizer and paw butter. Just like you, dogs can get uncomfortable, painful cracks in their skin during winter.
Also watch for cold pale skin on your dogs paws, tail, ears and nose, as these are signs of possible frostbite. If the skin turns red and swollen after warming up, or if your dog is in pain, consider phoning your vet.
If you plan on hiking in snow make sure to bring warm clothes and food for everyone, and tell someone your plan. Try and stick to being out during daylight.
Last but not least, keep extra towels in your car. These can help your dog warm up, and also save you some cleaning incase, like Noah, your dog likes to get extra wet this time of year.
The best gift you can give
Puppies might fit easier under a Christmas Tree, but a rescue dog like Rome or Vienna could fit better in your home.
Rescues will work with you to find a family member that will transition into a home with kids or other animals. If you’re considering adding a dog to your family this holiday season, be sure to check some of the rescues in the area such as the SPCA, the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, or Paws it Forward.
Author’s Note:
This piece was written November 30th, 2017, as a fun local interest sample story for the Kelowna Now. All written content was original and photos were submitted by interviewees.
Jesse Laufer 