Dogs and the Wintry Weather

Right now in Ohio, snow is falling at an amazing pace. We are supposed to have up to 16 inches before its over, and my dog loves it. She loves to go outside and run around in the snow. She is a samoyed, and is actually supposed to be for cold weather. I let her stay out as long as she wants to.

I am from the west coast of Canada and so by law must rub it in that we are well above freezing and hopefully have had our only snowfall of the year. That out of the way,we have 2 indoor dogs that do not seem to understand that snow is cold.They love to run around in it and roll up like a snowball.However,they do tire easily and canbe found curling around the fire.

Pretty cold and miserable here in Oklahoma today too. The high for today is only supposed to be 25 F and the wind chill in the single digits. We have 2 chows. For the most part they are outside dogs and have a doghouse to get in out of the weather. It's a big homemade doghouse that's big enough for both of them. I regularly check on them and make sure their water isn't frozen. If they're getting stressed or too cold they get to come inside for awhile to warm up. After an hour or two they're usually wanting back out. I will also bring them in for the night if the temps are going to be staying too cold. Most of the time they're happy to stay in for the night. They like being inside, but really prefer to be outside most of the time.

My dog will stay outside until we call him back in. However, if it's snowing, then he'll go outside, and come back in right away, most of the time. Once in awhile, he'll stay outside until his coat is covered in snow, then he'll want to come in.

I don't have dogs but I do have two cats and when the wind blows and it's cold out side they find a comfortable place and go to sleep usually it's under my bed where they feel safe......They are funny we can look all over the house then have to go under my bed to find them......They come out only to eat and then go back under the bed.

My three chihuahuas will go out in the cold weather do their business and come straight back into the house no sniffing around. However they have a HUGE problem with rain. They all think they will melt and dig their paws onto the carpet so I have to throw them out which is not easy, get one out, one sneaks in, get three out and two sneak in!! By that time I am really getting teed off finally they're all out and I leave them out until they have done what they are supposed to do, rain or rain, then they all sulk to show me their displeasure.