PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR THE COLD WEATHER AHEAD
I have seen plenty of “naked” dogs walking alongside their owners who are all bundled up against the cold winds of late fall and winter. (We have even dipped into the forties recently.) Your pet who lives in the house as part of the family does not have the opportunity to grow a winter coat. Or like my dogs, may have been just groomed and their coat is cut short, and are more exposed to the chillier weather. I can now, thank goodness, get a wrap harness on Ebby, which covers more of her body than a regular harness, and even a coat. Last fall and winter, which she was a relatively new rescue, she was very aggressive if I tried and I never did succeed with a coat or jacket, but I worked tirelessly over the past seven months to get her used to having her belly rubbed and having a harness put on to go for a walk with Zoey around the neighborhood which she loves immensely. It was an incentive for her to behave, aided by an occasional blast of STOP THAT, a corrector of naughty behavior. And I have begun to put a light Velcro closure coat on her.
Some people think their dog will be okay for the few minutes they are out in inclement weather. I challenge them to go out in the same uncomfortable weather in only a sweater! Even the Alaska mushers will cover their dogs and put boots on their paws, although they live outdoors, if the weather is more harsh than usual. If your dog is just going out to do his business, you might get distracted (cell phone) and he remains outside longer than is healthy. Older dogs or ones afflicted with joint pain are especially in need of added warmth. My pets like to curl up near the gas fireplace or lay on a self-warming bed or pad. Some people also think their dog is okay left in a cold car while they shop. Just like in the summer when a car can quickly heat up to lethal temperatures, a cold car can quickly become a refrigerator.
At The Wagging Tail we have beautiful weatherproof jackets and coats by Weatherbeeta at the same prices as last year. I still use ones I have had for over five years. They wear and wash great. They come in various weights-for dogs with little hair like Dobermans and Bulldogs, to dogs with some outercoat but no undercoat. Or just to give you options on how to cover your dog depending on weather conditions. We carry sizes 10 to 32. And we just got in a new shipment of beautiful wool sweaters and Velcro-closure coats. We strive to keep our prices fair to your pocketbook while presenting you with real quality products.
We also sell, and have for years, the Gold Paw Series, which are very soft, stretchy tops that have openings for your dog’s front legs and are extremely comfortable for dogs and cats to wear. I put one on our cat, Mystery, who almost drowned in our swimming pool last winter in an unfortunate accident. The Gold Paw fleece top kept him extra comfy while he recuperated. It is a coverup that’s great for dogs who are not well, and especially for older dogs and ones with little or sparse coats. (See picture of Zoey wearing her mulberry plaid.) They are available in sizes 2-30, and if we don’t have the color you prefer, we can special order. And our prices are better than online shopping.
We are so grateful for winning The Best Pet Store of the Jersey Shore, and for our wonderful loyal customers and for all the new ones who finally checked out our bright yellow (joy) building and were so glad that they had. It is quite surprising to newcomers to see our vast selection added to over the past 36 years-as of this month of October! Thank you again for helping to keep a small business in business.
Our recent group of kittens have found homes. We will have more for you to see and love this week.
