Get Me Some Uggs!

So winter here in Europe has been pretty mild, to say the least, up until well, now. We're currently in Bratislava, Slovakia where the temperature is something like 28 degrees Farenheit, and it's snowing! Apparently it snowed for the first time this winter in Bonn yesterday too. This region of Europe is well known for being mildly cold and very very rainy compared to say, Minnesota, where it's bitter cold and always snowing, but sunny. 

Honestly, I don't miss the snow one bit. Not a bit. I know I may be alone on this one among my friends in Minnesota, but I would take rain and mild temperatures over sun and freezing cold and snow any day. I would. 

So today in the Star Tribune there's a great article about how to "winterize" your pups. And from first hand experience, winterizing is definitely a must, although some dogs, like Gus for example, may refuse to wear their booties.  Here are some tips from the article about how to prepare your dog for a winter in Minnesota:

• Focus on warmth and waterproofing, but don't be afraid to add some style. 
  
• Antifreeze tastes like candy to dogs. Keep it away from them.
  
• Wash your dog's paws when he comes in from outside. Ice, sludge, and salt can get lodged in the paws and if you don't wash  it off for him, he'll lick the stuff off  himself, and can get very sick. 
• Trim excess hair from footpads and toes of longhaired dogs. This makes it easier to remove ice and snow. 
  
• When it's really cold, especially in January and early February, your dog should spend no more than 20 minutes outside at a time.  
• Always be sure your dog has adequate shelter where it will be warm and dry. Be sure that he isn’t lying in a drafty area. Place his bed, blanket or pillow on tile and wood floors to give him a warm place to sleep.
• If you own a working dog, or if your canine companion spends hours outdoors, feed it extra calories. In winter, dogs need extra energy to regulate body temperature. Extra food provides necessary nutrients to see your dog through the most frigid days.
  
•  If your dog gets wet when out in cold weather, towel or blow-dry his coat. Be sure to dry his paws well to prevent footpads from cracking. If your pup's footpads become dry, moisten it with petroleum jelly.
  
• Never leave your dog alone in a vehicle. If the engine is off, he can die from hypothermia. If the engine is left running, he can be overcome with carbon monoxide fumes.
  

And by the way, I tried to find Ugg booties for dogs, but had no luck. Wish Ugg did make them though. I have a pair, and they are the absolute best and warmest shoes for winter ever. I don't care whether they're in or out, they're toasty toasty! 

So here's a pair of higher style booties for your dog from The Sassy Pup. I think they're cute, they look functional, and they're not terribly expensive.