At least we hope this was winter's final gasp with a nice easy downhill run to Spring.
"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." Hal Borland
About Photo Tales & Quotes: We keep hearing that people miss our cover photos that ran for years in the Back Bay Sun. That assignment was to provide a photo that showed what the week was like in the neighborhood. Often the photos illustrated favorite quotations. Photo Tales & Quotes is an occasional offering to our BostonZest readers featuring photos along the same theme but taken wherever we happen to be.
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We did make a supermarket walk to prepare for the storm. We bought the makings for a great big pot of chicken soup and a large loaf of Iggy's Francese!
We do enjoy watching Universal Hub's French Toast Alert System, but our storm food of choice is homemade chicken soup.
What's your favorite storm food? What did you buy on your pre-storm stock up trip?
We did make a supermarket walk to prepare for the storm. We bought the makings for a great big pot of chicken soup and a large loaf of Iggy's Francese!
We do enjoy watching Universal Hub's French Toast Alert System, but our storm food of choice is homemade chicken soup.
What's your favorite storm food? What did you buy on your pre-storm stock up trip?
As a rule, I look for snowdrops, signs of daffodils, and crocuses around Valentine's Day. Something made me check my favorite spots for early sighting this weekend. Here's what I saw.
Snowdrops in bloom in January.
Daffodil sprouts breaking through the mulch in a protected sunny spot. The grassy crocus sprigs that are usually nearby in this garden were not evident as of today.
With snow flurries possible tomorrow night, these early bloomers may have a cold night or two.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
As a rule, I look for snowdrops, signs of daffodils, and crocuses around Valentine's Day. Something made me check my favorite spots for early sighting this weekend. Here's what I saw.
Snowdrops in bloom in January.
Daffodil sprouts breaking through the mulch in a protected sunny spot. The grassy crocus sprigs that are usually nearby in this garden were not evident as of today.
With snow flurries possible tomorrow night, these early bloomers may have a cold night or two.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Just as some of us feel the cold more than others, some dogs are cold averse too and will try to cut short every trip outside in winter. Others (like all three of our West Highland White Terriers) love the cold and will stay out until they become pupsicles, if you let them.
Dogs like Huskies, Newfoundlands, and Samoyeds have a heavy double coat and a solid body type to protect them from the cold. On the other hand, lean-bodied, short-coated breeds, such as Greyhounds, need protection from the cold.
Small dogs tend to get colder quicker than larger ones. As our first two Westies aged, we became far more careful about the length of time they spent outside. A dog’s general health is also a factor in deciding how long your walks should be.
How much a dog is acclimatized to the cold should be taken into account. A recent transplant from a southern state may feel the cold far more than a New England dog that has been spending time outside all winter.
What’s more, every cold day is not the same. In winter, we become sunseekers choosing a route that will keep us, and our my dog Poppy, in bright sunshine whenever possible. Rain, wind, and icy surfaces can all reduce the time you will want to allow a dog to be outside.
General Guidelines
Dr. Coates offered the following, “In general, cold temperatures should not become a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45°F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable.
"When temperatures fall below 32°F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.
"Once temperatures drop under 20°F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.”
Signs of Trouble
Dr. Kim Smyth, Staff Veterinarian and Pet Health Writer at Petplan explains, “Symptoms of hypothermia in pets range from weakness and shivering to inaudible heartbeat and trouble breathing, depending on severity.” If symptoms are present, she recommends the animal be moved to a warm area, wrapped in blankets, and transported to a veterinary care facility.
To Coat or Not to Coat
If you have a dog that needs some protection from the cold, there are certainly a wide variety of coats, sweaters, and jackets on the market. A friend recently purchased a combo coat set for her Greyhound Marley. It consists of a light fleece jacket for moderate days, an insulated coat for cold days, and a waterproof raincoat for wet days.
Coats not only keep a dog warm, but they also keep them clean. We put a toddler t-shirt under Poppy’s winter jacket to cover more of her fur. T-shirts are much easier to clean than a dog’s belly.
The next time you check the wind chill and add a few layers as you dress for a dog walk, ask yourself what you can do to see that your dog will be just as comfortable as you both stroll the streets of the city.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
Just as some of us feel the cold more than others, some dogs are cold averse too and will try to cut short every trip outside in winter. Others (like all three of our West Highland White Terriers) love the cold and will stay out until they become pupsicles, if you let them.
Dogs like Huskies, Newfoundlands, and Samoyeds have a heavy double coat and a solid body type to protect them from the cold. On the other hand, lean-bodied, short-coated breeds, such as Greyhounds, need protection from the cold.
Small dogs tend to get colder quicker than larger ones. As our first two Westies aged, we became far more careful about the length of time they spent outside. A dog’s general health is also a factor in deciding how long your walks should be.
How much a dog is acclimatized to the cold should be taken into account. A recent transplant from a southern state may feel the cold far more than a New England dog that has been spending time outside all winter.
What’s more, every cold day is not the same. In winter, we become sunseekers choosing a route that will keep us, and our my dog Poppy, in bright sunshine whenever possible. Rain, wind, and icy surfaces can all reduce the time you will want to allow a dog to be outside.
General Guidelines
Dr. Coates offered the following, “In general, cold temperatures should not become a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45°F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable.
"When temperatures fall below 32°F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.
"Once temperatures drop under 20°F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.”
Signs of Trouble
Dr. Kim Smyth, Staff Veterinarian and Pet Health Writer at Petplan explains, “Symptoms of hypothermia in pets range from weakness and shivering to inaudible heartbeat and trouble breathing, depending on severity.” If symptoms are present, she recommends the animal be moved to a warm area, wrapped in blankets, and transported to a veterinary care facility.
To Coat or Not to Coat
If you have a dog that needs some protection from the cold, there are certainly a wide variety of coats, sweaters, and jackets on the market. A friend recently purchased a combo coat set for her Greyhound Marley. It consists of a light fleece jacket for moderate days, an insulated coat for cold days, and a waterproof raincoat for wet days.
Coats not only keep a dog warm, but they also keep them clean. We put a toddler t-shirt under Poppy’s winter jacket to cover more of her fur. T-shirts are much easier to clean than a dog’s belly.
The next time you check the wind chill and add a few layers as you dress for a dog walk, ask yourself what you can do to see that your dog will be just as comfortable as you both stroll the streets of the city.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
Congratulations and thanks to all of you who made it through this winter and only left footprints and paw prints behind in the snow.
The record snowfall this winter was hard on people with dogs. First, there was the task of getting yourself dressed for each outing. Next, came adding a dog coat and boots if your pup is one who needs them.
Once outside, you had to find a spot where your dog would complete the task at hand. (Some dogs are fussy about things like that.)
Even if your dog was quick and would have been happy to return inside, you had to trudge the extra distance to find a waste receptacle for your pick up bag. And, in many cases, you found the trash bucket overflowing.
Back inside, you had to undress yourself and your dog, wash dirty paws, and attempt to dry wet fur. Plus, you had to do this 3 to 5 times a day depending on the age, size, breed, and overall health of your companion.
Just as it only took one smoker to create this pile of cigarette litter (almost all the same brand) outside a Back Bay residence, it only takes one scofflaw with a dog to mess up an entire block over the course of a few weeks.
It Only Takes One …
Shame on those who decided that since they were out there alone with no one in view, they didn’t have to pick up after their dog.
As with many social problems, a small number of people are at the core of the issue. As I used to say to one particularly nasty dog hater who expressed her displeasure with dogs to everyone who passed with leash in hand, “If the vast majority of us didn’t pick up after our dogs, you'd be knee deep in it.”
April Stools Day
If dog haters and people without dogs in their lives are upset over this issue, you can only imagine how maddening it is to those of us who do it right. What’s more, many of us with bag already in hand have been trying to clean up after those who give the dog community this black eye.
Portland, Maine has addressed this winter scofflaw problem with humor since the year 2000. Each April, responsible members of the dog community declare an “April Stools Day,” when dog lovers come out in force to clean up the parks. Portland’s day is official and includes event extras. But, around here, anyone with a bag can add goodness to the next day of sunshine with a visit to their favorite dog walking area to pick up a few extra droppings.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
Congratulations and thanks to all of you who made it through this winter and only left footprints and paw prints behind in the snow.
The record snowfall this winter was hard on people with dogs. First, there was the task of getting yourself dressed for each outing. Next, came adding a dog coat and boots if your pup is one who needs them.
Once outside, you had to find a spot where your dog would complete the task at hand. (Some dogs are fussy about things like that.)
Even if your dog was quick and would have been happy to return inside, you had to trudge the extra distance to find a waste receptacle for your pick up bag. And, in many cases, you found the trash bucket overflowing.
Back inside, you had to undress yourself and your dog, wash dirty paws, and attempt to dry wet fur. Plus, you had to do this 3 to 5 times a day depending on the age, size, breed, and overall health of your companion.
Just as it only took one smoker to create this pile of cigarette litter (almost all the same brand) outside a Back Bay residence, it only takes one scofflaw with a dog to mess up an entire block over the course of a few weeks.
It Only Takes One …
Shame on those who decided that since they were out there alone with no one in view, they didn’t have to pick up after their dog.
As with many social problems, a small number of people are at the core of the issue. As I used to say to one particularly nasty dog hater who expressed her displeasure with dogs to everyone who passed with leash in hand, “If the vast majority of us didn’t pick up after our dogs, you'd be knee deep in it.”
April Stools Day
If dog haters and people without dogs in their lives are upset over this issue, you can only imagine how maddening it is to those of us who do it right. What’s more, many of us with bag already in hand have been trying to clean up after those who give the dog community this black eye.
Portland, Maine has addressed this winter scofflaw problem with humor since the year 2000. Each April, responsible members of the dog community declare an “April Stools Day,” when dog lovers come out in force to clean up the parks. Portland’s day is official and includes event extras. But, around here, anyone with a bag can add goodness to the next day of sunshine with a visit to their favorite dog walking area to pick up a few extra droppings.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
It has been a very photographic February with the cycle of snow, freeze, thaw, and freeze we've endured. Ed said it was as if Mother Nature wanted to add a fresh coat of makeup to the snow piles so they wouldn't look dirty.
Icicles added a touch of frosting to the Victorian townhouses along Commonwealth Avenue.
On Newbury Street, some took on the look of waterfalls.
On Boylston Street, the stonework and icicles set off one another beautifully.
Here's a view of icicles from inside one of the glass crossovers at Copley Place.
Bacchante does not seem to mind the snow at all and just continues to dance in the Courtyard of the Boston Public Library.
As much as we may complain about the endless snow and cold, it's hard to resist photographing the way it changes our neighborhood.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
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from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.