I'm a cat person. In part, because I'm allergic to (most) dogs, but mostly because cats are awesome. Watch any cat video on YouTube and try to convince me otherwise. Cats are also fairly self reliant and don't need that constant coddling that dogs need. I can't visit my sister's house without their Golden Retriever showering me with attention and constantly lying at my feet, starving for attention.
Another benefit to having a cat is, never having to take him for walks around the block or through the park. He gets most of his exercise in the house, but in the warm weather, he likes to venture about in the backyard. Daily walks around the perimeter, assuring that we are secure, I always say to him, jokingly. When the temperatures dip down to the frigid temperatures that we've been experiencing over the last week and both, he and I, are more than happy to stay confined within the warmth of our house. Meanwhile, I see my neighbour, bundled up into a furry ball, venturing out into the Arctic blast with dog in tow. Neither one of them really look like they want to go for that walk and who can blame them?
The other day I was driving home when I noticed a bundled up person dragging an object behind her on the sidewalk. As I drew nearer, I realized that the object was a small dog. Completely bare, the short-haired dog looked catatonic. It's tiny body, rigid, even when it was picked up and held in the person's arms. I couldn't help but wonder just how important it actually is to take dogs for walks? 🤔 Everyone needs exercise, but can't daily walks be put on hold when the temperatures outside dip to below minus fifty with the wind chill?
I felt like there may have been a conversation between the two as they stepped outside into the frigidity of the morning. Dog likely pulled back on the leash, exclaiming "No way, Jose, am I going out into that!!" His momma probably tugged on the leash, coaxing the little one out the door, all the while uttering kind words to the dog in a soothing manner, "It's okay. It's not that bad."
"Not that bad?!" I imagined the dog thinking, "You're wrapped in multiple layers to keep out the cold wind, while I'm standing here buck naked!!" 🥶
Granted, some dogs absolutely LOVE the outdoors, especially when the temperatures get so damned cold. My sister's first dog, Tucker, was a pure breed Saint Bernard and I felt terrible for that lumbering soul in the summer months when the mercury would rise about thirty degrees Celcius. However, when that same mercury dipped thirty degrees below zero, that dog was happier than a pig in mud. When my mom would dog sit Tucker at her house, he loved running around her huge backyard, jumping, digging and rolling around in the deep snow. She could pull a chair up to the back door and watch that dog have the time of his life back there.
Not Tucker, but this is what he'd look like after his play sessions in the snow.
I've seen all kinds of outfits that people get for their dogs. I love watching these examples awkwardly walking down the sidewalk, marching like Soviet soldiers, kicking their feet high in the air in an attempt to shed their little shoes. Then there's the little cloaks and other clever outfits crafted for their comfort. Many seem to fight it, while others almost seem to embrace it. I recall a little Boston Terrier that belonged to a woman I used to work with. His name was Riley and he wore a couple of different outfits, but the favourite one seemed to be a little leather bomber jacket like something you'd see a hot shot pilot wear in an old World War II film. It was awesome.
Dress for the occasion.
The best thing about having a cat is, arguably, the worst thing about having a cat. They shit indoors, so we can all avoid going outside in the cold, but then I have to shovel that shit out and I don't know what's in the food I feed that boy, but golly them shit's are rank.
Perhaps I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. I've never owned a dog, myself. I grew up with dogs, on the farm, but they were fairly self reliant. No walks necessary as we lived on a farm and they were allowed to run freely. Usually along side of my dad with he was working in the field. Even when the temperatures got so unbelievably cold, those dogs stayed indoors, pausing only to go potty outside.
I don't know where I'm going with this. Suffice it to say; If it's too cold outside, I think we can shelve the exercise for that day or few days. It's not like the deep freeze stays forever. A week or two at the worst, though admittedly, it feels much longer. Your pet, I'm sure, will appreciate it.
That and.... Cats rule and dogs drool. 😁
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