Monk, Danny and keeping Warm

Having been born and reared in Minnesota and South Dakota, all this teeth gnashing about snow and cold here is somewhat comical, relatively speaking. On the other hand, I have now lived here 15 years and make no plans to move back north where a week ago it was minus 26 without wind chill in Sioux Falls, SD - only one sibling still lives there; the others of us are all south and southeast.

Remember, wind chill affects tissue, not metal or wood. So for you with outdoor dogs, be sure they have plenty of straw or bedding, their dog houses are insulated, check the water often - I put hot water out during the day as it will cool off soon enough. Check their pads and ears frequently for frostbite. When it is this cold, I bring my two "outside" dogs in the house.

What is amusing to me today: Monk, Beagle mix, he of the very, very thick coat and shy, human evasive personality, came in with his brother Chip last night with little urging. He has yet to go back outside! Man, it is COLD out there if Monk won't go out. This is an old photo of him still as a puppy. My short haired double dappled chocolate and tan blue eyed tweenie Dachshund, Danny Boy Quinn, is in the house laying in front of a small floor heater :). He LOVES having a personal heater. The rest of us went out for a romp this morning so I could get most of the dogs to do their duties outside having fun...and we did have fun!

Be careful of yourselves and of your pets - don't forget those outside cats either. If you auto-start your vehicle, you may want to check it for a cat getting warm in the engine compartment! Bottom line - ENJOY the SNOW - we don't often get nice snow like this without ice :).