Poppy has a bit more spring in her step in fall and doesn’t mind sharing her bench with a pile of leaves.
Over the past few weeks, you've been able see which dogs love the fall season. My Poppy is one of them. She is not a fan of hot days and certainly has more spring in her step when the cooler temperatures arrive.
“He loves this cool weather,” another friends said as her dog bounced through the park. These pups don’t stop to chat until they've burned off some of that autumn energy by speed walking a few blocks and then back to us.
People, too, have more energy in the cooler months to entertain their dogs. This may mean visits to hiking trails or trips to the country for long walks and a happy time for the dogs who accompany them.
Beaches that were forbidden territory all summer are now open to endless games of fetch the ball or stick for those who choose to share their recreation with dogs.
Here's our pal Bear waiting for Poppy in a nest of leaves.
Leaves
The leaves we enjoy for their color and crunch underfoot are irresistible toys to some dogs. It’s fun to watch a pup chase a leaf down a sidewalk. Dogs with very curious noses enjoy the scents that leaves hold. And some dogs like nothing better than exploring and jumping through piles of leaves.
While back yard leaf piles may be fun, I’m wary of leaves collected from urban parks and sidewalks. Those piles may hold pieces of broken glass, litter, discarded food, or even syringes.
For some reason, the parks department often gathers all leaves on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall into piles on the walkway and there the piles remain, sometimes for a week or more. This puts some of the benches off limits and makes the busy walkway more congested. It also allows the wind to scatter those leaves across the lawns so that workers must collect them again.
Leaves also add a degree of difficulty for those who faithfully pick up after their dogs. With leaves to offer camouflage, if you glance away for just a second, a quick scoop can turn into a long, slow hunt among the leaves.
Allergic to Fall?
For some dogs (and people), those leaf piles can be a source of an allergic reaction. Even after the hard frost kills off ragweed and other fall irritants, dogs may still be bothered by leaf mold.
The website VetInfo.com has a great description of the symptoms. “Mold-allergic dogs sneeze frequently, and they may develop a cough or have watery eyes. Other dog-specific signs of a mold allergy include recurring ear infections and licking, scratching and biting at their skin because it becomes itchy.”
If this sounds familiar, check with your veterinarian for treatments and avoid those leaf piles. You might also give your dog a rub down with a damp towel when you return from a walk to remove surface irritants. Try to stick to the paths when outside and restrict time spent exploring damp piles of leaves.
Ritual Changes
Some dogs respect the season with changes in their routines. Poppy sleeps-in more mornings when the sun doesn’t wake her. Her predecessor, Maggie Mae, snuggled with us more in the cool months than in summer. If your dog tends to put on winter weight, this can be a good time to trim down with extra exercise before winter storms restrict outside activity.
It is a time of change for you and your dog. Enjoy the good things, deal with the downsides, and relish each day of fall with your beloved canine companion.
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Words: Penny Cherubino Adapted for BostonZest from one of her CIty Paws newspaper columns
Photos: ©2013-2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino and itchy dog from iStockphoto.
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