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Barnyard Buddies:  Winter and dogs  |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 28 2012 : 7:59:04 PM
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I have 3 dogs. Sophie is a 15 1/2 year old Rat Terrier. Bubba is a 6 year old Yellow Lab mix. And Stella is a 2 year old Border Collie-Lab mix. They like to be inside a lot. Sophie and Stella have crates they stay in.
And it's been raining A LOT latley here and there is mud every where. So when they go outside, they get wet and muddy feet. So I have to stand at the door with a towel to wipe their feet and dry them off, one by one. Every time they come back inside. It gets old. I feel like I have little kids again. I really don't mind doing this. I have wood floors and Bubba sleeps on the leather love seat. So easy clean ups.
What do y'all do for your dogs and cats in winter when it's wet and muddy?
Kris
Happiness is simple.
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Dec 28 2012 : 8:09:51 PM
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Kris, when Luck was alive, I did the same thing you do now. I had no problem with it. He hated dirty feet. LOL. I have an inside cat, so I don't have to worry about that.
It's been wet and muddy here, too! It's still raining, and the wind has picked up! Stay warm.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Dec 28 2012 : 8:11:38 PM
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Lol....Kris, I am laughing because I do the same exact thing you do! I have a labradoodle that we rescued about 2 1/2 years ago... And I have to wipe her feet off each time she comes in too. I call her my third child. If its not the kids under my feet it's the dog. We sure do love her though.
Hugs,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
View my New Blog:
http://simplesuburbanpleasures.blogspot.com
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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KathyC
True Blue Farmgirl
583 Posts
Kathy
Gastonia
NC
USA
583 Posts |
Posted - Dec 28 2012 : 10:00:12 PM
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My dog Annie does not like to get wet so we don't have the muddy feet problem to often unless she finds a place to dig a hole. If it's just sprinkling she will run out the door get under to eave of the garage and do her business very quickly but if it's raining she will stand at the door look out, look up at me, and then look out again - she's asking me to get the umbrella out...which, of course, I do so she will not get wet.
Our pets have always been a part of the family and spoiled as much as we can. I was shopping today for a new recliner for hubby, it has to be a big mans recliner so it will fit man and dog.
Kathy |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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Fiddlehead Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
4562 Posts
Diane
Waupaca
WI
USA
4562 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2012 : 07:31:21 AM
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I wipe their feet when they come in also! Right now we are covered in snow so there is no mud.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
I am trying to be the person my dogs think I am.
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2012 : 10:30:25 AM
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We do the same for our four dogs. It has been so, so dry here for so many months that the dog yard is now mostly dirt. On those rare occasions when we get some moisture we have lots of big German Shepherd and hound dog muddy paws.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
"Look deep into Nature, and then you will understand everything better."--Albert Einstein
"A meal of bread, cheese and beer constitutes the perfect food." --Queen Elizabeth I
http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrawHouseDesigns |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2012 : 11:10:17 AM
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Despite her aching joints, our Pawlee loves the snow! Something in her comes alive, and suddenly she's a puppy again with her ears perking as she noses around in the cold white fluff (although she doesn't move with nearly as much agility as she did long ago). Whenever she comes in from the rain or snow, I tell her, "Momma's got your towel!" and she "smiles," wagging her tail and wobbling right over. She puts her head low as I start a gentle rubdown from nose to tail. She just loves it. She doesn't like it as much when we try to dry her paws, but I think it's because of her arthritis (lifting her paws must hurt). Usually I just pat the tops and sides as best as I can, and as soon as she settles into her usual sprawl by the foot of Daddy's chair, I gently wipe them top and bottom. It's hard because she's slowing down so much. She's such a sweet old lady, I just can't get upset with her. For now, it's about making my girl feel good, happy and loved. To me, muddy paws and boots are actually a blessing - a joy to behold! I all too well know that there will come a day when they are there no more... and what a woeful day that will be indeed! :) Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2012 : 12:11:34 PM
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Nini, Bubba and Stella love to get dried off. But Sophie, the oldest, does not. She's getting where she can hardly hear and when I try to catch her, she starts snapping at me. So I just put a towel on the floor when she comes in and hope she dries her feet off enough before she gets back in her crate. Her sister died almost 2 years ago in Jan. at 13 1/2. I tpld her when I have to pick her up to take her outside or bring her in, she's going to the vet. But right now she still acts like a puppy.
And it's raining and it rained all night. It's like slime trying to walk out there. Very slippery. And my poor goats and sheep don't like this either. I wish I could bring them all inside. The goats have an enclosed barn they stay in when it's like this.
Kathy, that sounds like my dogs sometimes. When it's pouring, they will not go out. I hope you can find a big enough chair!
Diane, snow sounds pretty good right now, but we won't be getting any for awhile.
Kris
Happiness is simple.
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com |
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momshopsalotta
True Blue Farmgirl
232 Posts
Connie
Hertford
NC
USA
232 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2012 : 1:25:22 PM
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| I thought when we adopted our puppy (2009) that puppy pads were the best thing since sliced bread. They were convenient during the night and in bad weather. Now our 75 lb dog Gracie has a butt the size of Chicago and I need puppy pads the size of an economy car. While my other two dogs go outside and "do their business" in all kinds of weather, Gracie will look outside, turn around and start sniffing for the puppy pad. If I don't have one down she has been known to pee on the floor like to tell me "well this is where it belongs" or my personal favorite, peeing in front of an open door. I've just begun writing a book about animal adoptions and special needs animals and have a web page about Gracie parked until the book is done. Check out her page at www.graciegums.com and picture that sweet puppy plus 65 lbs. |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2012 : 2:42:00 PM
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That's such a great idea, Kristin - I'm going to have to try the towel on the floor! We tell Pawlee all the time that she has to get up the stairs herself, because the vet said it will be time to let her go when she can't. Whenever I offer to help her, somehow she finds the strength and manages to pull herself up. But she whines and does that whole forward and back movement up the steps over and over until she finally gets up - like she's trying to gain momentum, you know? Sometimes I have to give her hind quarters a little lift to help her along. I would definitely carry her, but she's so heavy. It just isn't feasible. I wish that she would stop insisting in coming up to the second floor with us at night, but I take it as a good sign that she still has the gumption and makes herself do so. Isn't it amazing how much we love our dogs just like our own kids?! It's just so hard to see them suffering. I just pray I have the wisdom and strength to know when it's her time and to do what I need to do to help her move on. I'm so sorry that Sophie is snapping at you... that's very tough, I'm sure. You love her so much, I can tell. :) Hugs to you for being such a loving Mom to your pups!
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Dec 29 2012 2:43:19 PM |
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Katlady93
True Blue Farmgirl
361 Posts
Charlotte
Denmark
SC
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2012 : 2:42:45 PM
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LOL Kymo loves the snow, just loves it. but he deosn't like to have his feet wiped out when he comes in. Belle is not quite sure about all this white stuff on the ground. i (try) to keep a mat by the door, but between DH, the dogs and the snow, it is very nearly hopeless. the cats are strictly indoors, they have no interest in going outside.
Some dreams are worth the risk it takes to make them real.
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footsteps on the moon. |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2012 : 3:29:44 PM
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Nini: I loved your statement, " To me, muddy paws and boots are actually a blessing - a joy to behold! I all too well know that there will come a day when they are there no more... and what a woeful day that will be indeed! :) ". So, so true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your heart is big, Nini. Hugs.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2012 : 5:15:02 PM
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Sometimes when I forget to shut Sophie's crate, there is a mess on the dining room floor. But that doesn't happen much. I wish you luck on your book, Connie. Lots of writes on here.
Nini, Sophie does that too. The rocking back and forth to get going. We only have 2 steps into the living room and one into the kitchen. But she likes the 2 steps. It's kind of funny. She just doesn't like to be picked up any more. I think she thinks I'm going to give her a bath! And she hates baths.
Sometimes it is a hopeless cause, trying to keep floors clean in winter. So I don't make a big deal too much. With wood floors, it's not too bad.
I know I'll miss Sophie when she is gone, but not all the in's and out's all day and night. And the yips every few seconds when she wants in or out. And she can't hear hardly at all, so I can't call her. And she hardly sees. She's just like a little old lady now. But then she runs like a puppy.
Kris
Happiness is simple.
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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MtnGrlByTheBay
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
Erin
Lexington Park
MD
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2013 : 12:51:44 PM
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Shallow pan of water at the door? Train to step in and rinse off? Might be a little sloppy at first, but with gradual steps, it might actualy work. Reward with a little treat each time they put a paw close to the pan... then in the pan... then two feet in the pan... then three feet in the pan... then four feet in the pan... and so forth.
My dogs have a doggy door to the basement, so I just make a path of towels. By the time they reach the steps to the rest of the house, they are reasonably clean. I don't have many carpets. I swear by laminate!
^^^I'm a RidgeRunner, and will always feel best when surrounded by the PA mountains.^^^
www.lastlapgang.com |
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SandraM
True Blue Farmgirl
295 Posts
Sandra
Coldwater
Michigan
USA
295 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2013 : 1:08:28 PM
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We have an enclosed front porch and when it is whet the pups are stuck in there when it is really muddy. We can't keep them clean.
Sandra
www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2013 : 6:24:41 PM
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It's been raining here non stop for days now. I have just about given up on keeping floors or dogs clean anymore. I have gone through way too many towels lately. That's a good idea about the water at the door but I really don't think I want to see water that close in the house. Ugh, I am sick of seeing water everywhere.
Kris
Happiness is simple.
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2013 : 7:47:08 PM
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"Water Hog Door Mats" are a God send for muddy boots and paws, I got mine thru LLBean, they are alittle pricey, but they last forever, come in several sizes and colors...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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Barnyard Buddies: Winter and dogs |
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Winter and dogs
