After several days of being stuck inside due to miserable winter weather and me being a wimp lately, both Luke and I were feeling stir crazy. Even though it was only 17 degrees and windy outside yesterday, the sun was shining so I thought we’d give it a try.
One of our readers once asked how I determined that 20 degrees is about our minimum temperature for walking. This is how:
I’ve observed that it’s usually about anything below 20 degrees when Luke’s paws get too cold (and no, he will not wear boots). Our walk was kind of doomed from the beginning. I had been anxious to get out onto the trails the Dadz had blazed for us with his 4-wheeler on the last nice day we had, so walking was much easier for Luke. However, there was still about 2-3 inches of fresh snow in the tire tracks which is what most likely made his paws too cold. He even ventured off trail a bit and could walk on top of the crusty snow in some places.
We headed down into the woods, and suddenly the wind picked up and was whipping. We had already seen some large branches on the ground here and there, since this was our second day of high winds. We walked a little further and the trees above us were making snapping and cracking noises in the wind. I started to get a little nervous. Then I looked up to see one particular extremely tall pine tree waving back and forth frantically, and I got really nervous. We turned around and headed back out of the woods!
We retraced our steps across the field and back around the house, and then headed onto another trail by the chicken coop. The trees on that side of our land don’t seem quite so tall, spindly, and fragile. But we only got a few steps before Luke started holding his paws up, so I knew he was too cold. I snapped these photos very quickly and we headed back home.
We tried, we really did.
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Poor guy, I can never figure out if the dogs hold their paws up because they’re cold, they got snow in them, or they got road chemicals. While mine WILL wear boots on their back feet, sometimes they lose traction and with Sampson and his bad back legs, that’s too risky for me.
I’ve started carrying a dish/hand towel with me on those days when we have fresh, deep snow. I tuck the end of the towel into the waistband of my pants, so if one of the dogs lifts their paw(s) I can wipe it off. So far, that has worked well for us.
I hope you get a break in the weather, cabin fever is real!!
Maybe it is snow in his paws that’s bothering him. I’d never really noticed it so hadn’t thought of it. I will definitely check them next time it happens.
We did finally get some warm days to get out, thankfully, though they are predicting another cold spell for a few days this week.
Poor Luke! We’ve been struggling with boots this winter, too, so we haven’t gotten out for nice long walks in a while. Our neighborhood also stays pretty icy, so even when it’s not that cold, sometimes I’m just not brave enough to go out with Rye.
I imagine ice will be the next thing we’re dealing with, once the snow starts to melt. It’s good your dogs have their other sports and activities to entertain them! (and I’m glad it’s not just us with the boots)
Aww, poor Luke. We had one of those days earlier this week but because the people dumped huge piles of salt on their sidewalk. I thought I’d have to carry both the dogs past that house! Hope it’s gets above 20 for a few days so you guys can get some outside time.
Thankfully we mostly stay off the roads this time of year, so we don’t have to deal with any salt. On the occasions we do walk there, we always make sure to “rinse off” his paws in fresh snow before coming in. 🙂
You know I’m a winter weinie so I can’t imagine 20 and the wind blowing! Brrrrr! I’m glad you decided to cut the walk short.
There has to be some kind of happy medium, doesn’t there?
I am cold just looking at him.
🙂
Poor guy! Here’s hoping Spring comes soon!
All paws are crossed here!
I don’t blame you buddy, I don’t want to go out either! At least you tried.
We’ve had some warmer days lately, so we’ve been out a bit more!
Brrrr, go inside and warm those paws sweetie!
Happily!! 🙂
Poor Luke. It’s hard to have a good walk when it’s so cold. He’s a handsome one.
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Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday, Luke. My best to your mom. ♥
Thank you!!
Luke is a smart doggy. He’s like me, he likes the warm weather too. LOL
We’re glad we’ve got someone here who’s willing to commiserate! 🙂
I feel so bad for you and Luke. I hope that it warms up very soon. We see that paw behavior with our pups but it’s when the temp is below zero so we have a bit more leeway.
As always, I think that Luke looks incredibly handsome in his coat!
Thank goodness he’ll at least wear the coat (and thank you for the compliment)!! I can’t even imagine how far we’d get if it was below zero. Probably not even to the back yard. LOL
Oh yea, that’s too darn cold Luke, go get those paws warm pal!
Finally, someone who agrees with us!! 🙂
Luke we send some sun rays to you, so the snow will melt away like that wicked witch…
We got some snow, but the snow is not really melting yet. Plus we got more!
Luke, come on buddy, 17 is not cold. I think you need to spend more time outdoors to get used to it. Hopefully you and your mom will go out walking more. I bet you both feel better after going for a walk.
We do! We’ve been out more lately, but it’s been warmer. My sisters used to pick on me, and call me a “Southern boy” since I was born in Alabama. You’re kind of sounding like them now. BOL
Love, Luke
Maggie used to hold up her paws like you do, Luke, but it was because snow was packed inbetween her pads and once mom brushed it away, she was good to go. We walk on the road – not on snowy trails and that makes a big difference. Stay warm!
The next time it happens, I’ll have to check his paws for snow build-up. I’ve never really noticed snow collecting in there but I’m sure it could be easily missed. Our golden retrievers used to bite at their paws if they got snow built up in there.