Please, Remember Our Animal Friends!

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:55 am

Just a reminder to our fellow Lakewoodites to keep those domestic animals indoors during these cold, snowy times!

As well, to look after those animals outside.

I just fed Mr. Robin this morning, and he did not look happy! Mr. Bluejay was a virtual ice cube, as well!

Charyn Compeau · Post by **Charyn Compeau** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:08 am

hehe - unless you have big fluffy arctic dogs!!

Both Jazz and Lily have been loving life the last two weeks! I let them out and they are just ROLLING in the snow looking all the world like they are making snow-puppy-angels!!! As well as trying to dig tunnels under the snow... lol

But you are right... even with dogs bred to with stand such extremes of temperatures, I dont keep them out for too extended of a period of time in this weather!

And for those with little dogs - a warm sweater will really make a nice difference for them!

Always,
Charyn

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:18 am

Haven't had the pleasure of having birds in my yard yet. I have three loafs of bread sitting here because I'm going to throw crumbs out the window of my room so the birds find them.

I've been on the bird lookout ever since your first robin post. I'm trying to get some nice pictures!

we'll see if they'll bite!

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:26 am

the squirrel saw me throwing bird feed and decided to check things out.
i've got some hazelnuts and peanuts to pass out so I'll post photos when I get them!

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:13 pm

Ivor,

Actually, I took a photo this morning of Mr. Blue jay, but Mr. Robin came out while I was doing the feeding, so I missed him.

I still do not know how to post photos here, or you would have seen one sorry blue jay!

I would have given just about anything to have had the camera ready when Mr. Robin sat out front on my Rhododendron bush. His coat was almost black from the cold, but he was there!

I hope you do shoot some great animal photos. They are a challenge, but are most rewarding!

My squirrel family loves peanuts, but unfortunately, Mr. Cooper's Hawk also likes to hang out in the neighbor's tree. Sad as it is to me, he has a right to food too.

Esther Hazlett · Post by **Esther Hazlett** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:15 pm

My Xena is also a snow-dog. She romps and plays in the deep snow, and pulls me along on our walks. Yesterday she and the dog next door ran rampant back and forth on their respective sides of the fence while I shoveled a 3-foot drift off my porch.

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:24 pm

For all you having "snow" dogs.

Bear in mind that when these animals rest, the Inuit will lay down straw or mats for them. They are often fed, to give them energy on the go, particularly if they are sled dogs.

Like all mammals, they need to retain body heat, and can only do so under certain conditions.

I hope that you are aware that they can tolerate these temperatures only for a limited time, before their feet particularly, begin to have problems

Charyn Compeau · Post by **Charyn Compeau** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:46 am

Gary -

A good point. In fact, I was just realting to someone the fact that the so-called acrtic breeds need to be conditioned to colder weather in order withstand it.

In other words - if you keep your dog in the house all of the time, and only allow them out briefly to do their 'bizness' they will be cold no matter what the breed because they have not been given ample opportunity to develop the undercoat that they would need to withstand the mid-winter temperatures!

Always,
Charyn