Squishy has joined my list of favorite pooches. I'm very picky about who gets into that club!
Every day when I arrive for her daily walk she greets me at the door with a wiggle and lots of energy -
ready for sniffing out the neighborhood.
Later when she's pooped out (literally.. haha) we cuddle on the park bench at the end before we head home.
Together we just watch the world go by breathing in the fresh air.

Then we arrive home and I write in a note or two for her Mommy.
Squishy sits on my lap and watches me scribble out my words in ink.

Now that it is winter, I take my coat off when I sit to write.
Squishy has recently decided that it's her duty to fluff up my coat during this time and
lay down into it -warming it before I head back out to the cold... ... she's so thoughtful!

PREPARE YOUR PETS FOR WINTER

NOTE: This is just the beginning of the research that should be done for your pets.
Google it! It's easy and your pets will thank you for it.

Pond Fish

Yep.. even these pets need consideration.  Check out this great advice and instruction at : In the Country - Winterizing Your Pond by Josh Spece (http://www.inthecountrygardenandgifts.com/articles/pond_winterize.php )

Excerpts: “If your pond is at least 3’ deep you can leave your plants and fish out all winter (place lilies in deepest area), but you will need some way for gas exchange to take place. NEVER BREAK ICE FORCIBLY!! Shock waves will stress the fish, injure their gills, and possibly kill them. Use hot water to melt a hole in the ice if necessary.
If you decide to remove your fish for the winter there are a few things you should remember…...” 

Burrowing or Rodent Pets

More details at http://www.northstarrescue.org/pet-care-information/general-care-articles/112-keeping-warm-for-the-winter

Pet Birds

For details go to: http://www.hartz.com/Birds/Habitat/how_to_prepare_your_bird_for_winter.aspx

DOGS and CATS

A WEALTH of information at:
http://pets.webmd.com/features/pet-winter-safety-prepping-your-pet-for-winter-weather
all of what I say below are excerpts from there… PLEASE jump to their site for advice I think is excellent to consider.

As they say.. their fur is not enough to protect them from our northern winters.  Especially if they live in our homes most of their little lives.  We have to take into consideration that they are in most cases not built for harsh winters and are not accustomed to living in the ice, snow and freezing temperatures. 

I have a client that I walk everyday(Squishy).  The ice and snow hurts her paws and stops her from getting the exercise, fresh air, and neighborhood sniffing that she needs.  Today was the second day of her wearing snow boots (expensive ones- $45).  She now runs and enjoys her full walks again.  You may look at this little Maltese and with her pink sweater, pink coat and black boots and laugh… but she’s laughing louder cause she’s back out having fun again.

Some dogs ARE built for the snow.. lots of fur.. big feet with furry padded paws. But others are not and some just don’t know when it’s time to come in from the cold.  It’s up to us to make those decisions for them.  LOL

Another thing I learned from this site is that the salt and other chemicals that get dumped on the snow and ice in the winter (along with anti-freeze) can be very toxic to our dogs and even a LITTLE BIT is DEADLY to CATS. 

We need to be extra conscience of anti-freeze on the ground!