FURTHER ADVENTURES
It has been a busy fall and winter and now we're beginning a new year. My blog has suffered through much. Computer problems, holidays, book writing, and a myriad of other inconveniences.
Dakota has been dealing with new experiences. His life in Iowa did not subject him to sub-zero temps like we've had in MN. It is quite a challenge for him at his advanced age. But I found him quite up to it. How he loves the snow. I think he thinks he found utopia. If I let him, he'd be out rolling and playing in it all day. The cold has not bothered him until we got down into the single digits and below zero temps. He simply could not handle it with his rear legs. He became "paralyzed" and could not walk or get back to the house. He is a big dog and my husband struggled to lift him enough to get him into the house. I had his coat on him at the time but it just wasn't enough. He was in desperate need of foot protection. Luckily I found a place in Duluth, MN that makes the booties for the sled dogs of the country. I immediately ordered him four booties. They are wonderfully easy to put on and take off. They were also so flexible and comfortable for him. How he loves them. When it turns cold, he will not go out until I put them on. He is able to move around the yard at his own pace and, the best part, he is able to continue rolling and playing in the snow.
He loved his Christmas toys. For a dog that never had toys or bones, it's taken him a couple of years to get into this Christmas thing. But he's enthusiastic about it and hauls his stash around. Still, his white teddy bear remains his favorite. My thought is that it seems to always be there and available. His toys are kept in "his box" and I don't think he thinks about that much of the time. So he grabs what's visible and it's usually his bear. He does love his bones too. They provide enjoyable minutes after a meal or during the evening when he's bored with us and TV.
Dakota remains healthy and quite active for a dog that is almost 13. Soon he will have his teeth cleaned, a small tumor removed from his eyelid, and a little growth on his nose that is starting to interfere with his handsome profile.
Dakota has been dealing with new experiences. His life in Iowa did not subject him to sub-zero temps like we've had in MN. It is quite a challenge for him at his advanced age. But I found him quite up to it. How he loves the snow. I think he thinks he found utopia. If I let him, he'd be out rolling and playing in it all day. The cold has not bothered him until we got down into the single digits and below zero temps. He simply could not handle it with his rear legs. He became "paralyzed" and could not walk or get back to the house. He is a big dog and my husband struggled to lift him enough to get him into the house. I had his coat on him at the time but it just wasn't enough. He was in desperate need of foot protection. Luckily I found a place in Duluth, MN that makes the booties for the sled dogs of the country. I immediately ordered him four booties. They are wonderfully easy to put on and take off. They were also so flexible and comfortable for him. How he loves them. When it turns cold, he will not go out until I put them on. He is able to move around the yard at his own pace and, the best part, he is able to continue rolling and playing in the snow.
He loved his Christmas toys. For a dog that never had toys or bones, it's taken him a couple of years to get into this Christmas thing. But he's enthusiastic about it and hauls his stash around. Still, his white teddy bear remains his favorite. My thought is that it seems to always be there and available. His toys are kept in "his box" and I don't think he thinks about that much of the time. So he grabs what's visible and it's usually his bear. He does love his bones too. They provide enjoyable minutes after a meal or during the evening when he's bored with us and TV.
Dakota remains healthy and quite active for a dog that is almost 13. Soon he will have his teeth cleaned, a small tumor removed from his eyelid, and a little growth on his nose that is starting to interfere with his handsome profile.
posted by Katie | 8:46 AM
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