On January 12, I posted online a question addressed to friends in the area where I live. I asked them: “How are you and your pets dealing with the arctic blast?”
They answered.
Here are their comments about how they and their animal companions fared in some of the coldest temperatures our area has experienced in years.
Jessa Lewis (Washington) Got a radiant heater near the bird and also in the snake room; dogs are hanging out inside and they have jackets if needed. Got them trained to go quickly and they are on a schedule. Taking them on leashes to the parts of my yard where they like to go. Also recently groomed them so they wouldn’t bring the outside winter ick inside.
Jaxon Riley (Washington) Polar fleece coats went on first thing this morning and all outdoor activities are stringently monitored—we have a “go potty and get back in here!” policy, particularly because our dogs are small of stature. They get too cold very quickly. All play and enrichment activities are inside for the next couple days.
Kelly Cox (Washington) Very short walk with a sweater and a lot of poop talk, hurry hurry!
Ali Blakney (Washington) Taken yesterday, but this ridiculous boy keeps asking to go outside today. We’ve informed him it’s far too cold but he doesn’t seem to care.
Photo by Ali Blakney
Donna Hitchcock Roecks (Washington) All four—dog, cat, and two “outside” rabbits—are all inside a 70-degree home fast asleep. It’s a rough life.
Sheri McEachran (Washington) So far we are warm and safe. I worry about the birds and wildlife, though. Eddie has been reluctant to use his dog door lately. I have had to insist that he take a whiz outside. He also has a new very warm winter jacket. I am thinking about putting warm booties on his feet, but I don’t think he will go for it. Putting the jacket on was like wrestling a small alligator! My other rescue dog has mobility issues so I go out with him. But he is part Pyrenees and appears delighted by the snow/cold. I love snow but of course not the extreme cold.
Tim Beau (Oregon) The arctic blast has hit us over night. Lalo, our tiny chihuahua, goes out the doggy door. He is so brave. He really doesn’t like the doggy door and always wants us to open the people door for him. It’s 16° out there, but he uses the doggy door anyway. I was going to grab his coat for him, but he dashed too fast for me.The wind-chill factor has the ‘real feel’ at 2°, according to Accuweather.
Christina Boling (Washington) Seattle here—we’re snuggled up inside our van with the heat blasting.
Darcey Byrne (Washington) The girls (three chickens) require their coop to be draft free. Their “down” coats are excellent for warmth. Last night they actually cuddled up on the roost bar.
Dave Koch (Washington) Trying to moderate the dog’s habit of wanting to go outside 20 times a day.
Marcy Britt (Washington) Walter has a dog door so he comes and goes at will. However, the gate is shut so he has to stay on the covered deck and use the dog yard. Access to the pasture is denied until it warms up.
Deb Hunt (Washington) We’re hunkered down with the heated blanket. Worked for the homeless and their pets yesterday. Just breaks my heart. We have a post up asking for pet sweaters, food, and blankets …
Rebecca Cook (Washington) Though our house has never gone below 65 degrees inside, Roscoe is certain he’s going to freeze; he’s camped in front of the heat vents when not burrowed into me for heat. When the water pipes froze, I didn’t say a word to them, but both cats started drinking water like it was going out of style. I don’t know how they knew, but I’ve kept their water fountain well stocked the entire time. Every day I do throw fresh fruit and veggies under the backyard trees for the birds and squirrels so they have something hydrating each day. My neighbor has a heated water source, too, though none of us consider the wildlife ‘pets.’ We just love them from afar.
Did you and your pets do okay during the very cold days and nights? Perhaps the comments that we’ve shared will give you some suggestions for the next time it’s so cold outside that pets and people must be smart to stay safe!
