Chilly Dog

Oh yes, greyhounds are very sensitive to cold. And since the Montréal (Québec, Canada) area is submitted to some of the wildest temperature in the world, ranging from the hot and humid +30 degrees Celsius of August to the blistering cold -25 degrees Celsius of February, we must have very well filled wardrobe. Where else do you hang the lightest of linen short sleeve shirt next to a -35C approved down jacket, or have flip-flops and insulated Gore-tex winter boots in the same closet?

So back to my chilly dog. Most people, when the see a small dog wearing a shirt or coat, they go OH! it's so cute! But when they see a 80+ pounds, 32 inches high dog wearing a fleece coat, the comments sound more like this : Do you really need to dress him up ? And of course, after explaining that greyhounds have very little body fat and very thin fur to keep them warm, most people understand. And then, they ask the next obvious question : Were do you get a coat for such a big dog ? Well, living in an area where the most popular large breeds have think undercoat (Labs, Goldens, Bernese mountain dogs and Huskys), you won't find anything at you local pet store. So the answer is : go online and order a custom made doggy winter coat of course!

But you don't need just one, because the one coat you will use when it's -20 C in January will be way to warm for the mild 2 C of March. And let's not forget the cold rain in November. So my dog ended up just like it's humans, it has it's own very well filled wardrobe !

This shirt was order from DogGoneChic, it's perfect for mild temperature or to wear as a first layer underneath a warmer coat when it's really cold.

DogGoneChic also custom made this rain gear, breathable and waterproof fabric perfect for year round rain protection and it can also be use has a spring/automn jacket !

This is the all-around coat, medium thick fleece, hot enough to wear in mild sub-zero wheater when it's not windy and not raining. This one was bought "off the shelf" at a greyhound expo. Made by ClassyCouchPotatoes

And finally this is the full winter coat, water and wind proof outerlayer, insulated with a very thick fleece it cover the dog's behind, wraps around the furless belly and the neck piece comes up over the ears if needed. Custom made by LeDandy

Just another "fun" side of caring for a retired greyhound in a cold weather place !!

Enjoy those winter months !

Wordless Happy Holidays Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

L'hiver est arrivé

Tout d'un coup, après un beau mois d'octobre et un mois de novembre exceptionnellement doux, voici l'hiver !! Qui est arrivé sans vraiment crier gard, on a bien eu une petite trace blanche comme avertissement, mais la température était plutôt douce. Et depuis mercredi matin dernier, tout a basculé vers un vrai hiver québécois. Une bonne vingtaine de centimètres de neige, le mercure c'est bien installé sous zéro et le fameux facteur vent c'est vraiment fais sentir pour une première fois cette saison.

Ceux qui aime l'hiver s'exclame "ENFIN!" et pour ceux qui n'apprécient guère la saison froide, dites-vous que les fêtes vont vite passer et qu'il ne restera que janvier et février de neige et de froid. Après viendra Mars, avec sa température douce et les heures d'ensoleillement s'allongeront.

Wordless Wednesday

Bag Balm

Anybody who worked on a dairy farm, most dog lover and some of Shayna Twaine fans knows this product. The soul purpose of this cream is to heal and protect cows udders. But if your dog has crack or damage pads, apply a bit of Bag Balm on your four legged friend paws before going to bed and in a matter of days you will see a huge improvement.

I have found another use for the wonderful product, for those of us that live where the winter season rhymes with flu and cold, you know how much your nose takes a beating when you sneeze, cough and blow your nose every 10 minutes for a week !! Well, the red and skin peeling nose days are over ! Apply a little Bag Balm on your nostril a couple times a days when you start a flu or a cold and your nose will thank you !!

I know what some of you are thinking, "that stuff is made for cow, no way I'm putting that on my face". For those, I suggest they keep in mind that sometimes a simple product are just what your body needs whether you are a cow, a dog, rock star or just human !

Find other use for Bag Balm here : http://www.ehow.com/about_5035275_uses-bag-balm.html

Wordless Wednesday