Salt
The season of salt has arrived in my household. To understand what that means, I need to back up a few steps. Winter arrived in Chicago this week. It snowed earlier in the week. The winds have picked up. And it got brutally cold today.
It was in the single digits when I walked the dog this morning. Including the windchill, it felt like it was -20° outside. People die in this weather.
In order to brave the elements, there is a process I go through inside before ever stepping foot outside. I pull on wool socks and throw a fleece over my head. I jump into my snow pants, making sure to tuck that fleece into the pants. Next comes the fur-lined boots: ugly, but practical. I put on a scarf to cover my nose and mouth. A hat to cover my head and ears. Then, I grab my long winter coat – the one with the furry hood – and zip it up as far it will go. The final step is my wind-resistant mittens. I am seemingly immobilized, but also fairly protected from the elements.
It doesn’t stop there. SoMi has to get prepared, too. She has fewer steps than I do, but steps nonetheless. Today, I only put on her dog coat. (Let it be noted that neither Sweets nor I are really dog coat people. In fact, we roll our eyes whenever we see people dressing up their dogs. However, this dog coat is out of necessity. If you saw SoMi shiver in cold weather the way we do, you’d be slipping her coat on, too.)
Our walk this morning was a series of mishaps. SoMi halted halfway down the block. Sat down. And contemplated whether she wanted to continue walking. When I gave a tug to her leash, she opted to move forward at breaking speed. She wanted out of this walk.
A few blocks later, I saw people had begun to put salt down on the sidewalk. I noticed the roads had a wet, chemical look to them. I knew what would come next. Not a block later, SoMi sat down and handed me her front paws. You see, that salt? It kills her paws. Leaves her limping in pain. I wiped off her front and back paws to the best of my ability and we headed home. Only to find out the locks to our front gate had frozen. As did the locks to our back gate. And to our garage. Fun times in the frozen tundra.
And thus, the season of salt has begun in our house.
Because, when it gets really bad like this morning, SoMi wears boots. Yes, that’s right, dog boots. Again, out of necessity. Watching a dog sit down on the freezing cement and throw her paws up to you in pain from the salt on the sidewalks and roads? It’ll make you, too, run to the store to investigate options to protect your canine. In our case, we have rubber-bottomed boots. And SoMi will be wearing them during our lunchtime walk.
This season of the salt? It’s likely to last another 4-5 months. I guess it’s time I get used to it.
December 10th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Yep tis the season. Yukon loves the colder weather although she is not a fan of the sub zero temps. Last night when it was snowing and in the 30s, she was bouncing along in and out of the snow.
Stay warm and safe!
December 10th, 2009 at 9:24 am
And that is why I live in the south. Today we had a cold snap and all I wore is my fleece jacket. For that, I will live in Conservative Closed-minded Land. Well, and food like BBQ, biscuits, turnip greens, and cheese grits.
December 10th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Awww, poor SoMi! I would probably be reduced to tears if my dog sat down and handed me her paws. Thankfully Sandy has a heavy coat on her to keep her warm. I have given serious thought though to getting her boots.
December 10th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I may have to investigate getting some boots like this for Jack; he had a rough go of it last winter with the salt on only one of his paws. He’d hold it up and limp around until I could fix it for him =( I’m not sure he would tolerate them but it’s worth a try. On the flip side, I’m no longer living in the city where salt is as prevalent so maybe it won’t be so bad!?
I also think we need a picture of you in your winter bundled up clothes!
December 10th, 2009 at 9:54 am
My sister’s dogs always wore boots when she lived in Manahattan. The road grime did a number on those poor paws. The salt is even worse. Poor thing.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:04 am
i love dog boots. i think they are incredible and even better, when a dog first puts them on for the first time, it provides hours of entertainment for them to get used to them. i love them!
December 10th, 2009 at 10:39 am
This week for the first time ever, I saw Montana shiver in the cold while I was walking her. I decided maybe I should keep her indoors until it warms up. And then ten minutes later she went out her dog door and spent quite awhile rolling around in the snow. So maybe she doesn’t mind the cold so much after all?
Luckily, her feet don’t seem to be sensitive to salt.
December 10th, 2009 at 11:00 am
aww, you’re such a good “parent” to little SoMi. can you please take a picture of her all bundled up?!
December 10th, 2009 at 11:03 am
I need pictures. Also, poor SoMi. I would definitely do the same if I had a pup. Couldn’t stand the sight of him/her in pain or shivering from cold.
December 10th, 2009 at 11:06 am
I remember those boots from last year! They are so cute. I can’t imagine living in cold weather anymore. We’ve had “cold weather” here which means upper 40’s in its coldest and mid-50’s at its warmest, and to us that’s freezing! If I had to move to a colder state for any reason it would be a ruuuuuude awakening!
December 10th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I remember last year you telling us about Somi’s boots. I was amazed because here in Georgia? Well, it just doesn’t get that cold. Good grief, it was 70 yesterday! I can’t imagine how painful it must be on her little paws! And on your heart!
December 10th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Oh yes, the salt! We had Tula put her boots on last night and she walked around like some kind of nutcase before kicking one of them off. She hates the boots. I am looking forward to several months of this too. :)
December 10th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I can bring my dog to work with me. After watching him shiver in the car and then shiver inside the cold building for a couple of days, I got him a little sweater and a coat. The sweater so he isn’t cold inside and the coat for the car. Everyone makes fun of me. I am glad someone else sees necessity. I have never dressed an animal before (other than that time with the cat and the American Girl doll clothes when I was 11)
December 10th, 2009 at 11:43 am
It is the same here. We used to do a combo of salt and playground sand – salt has ruined too many pairs of my shoes and jeans over the years. But since I carpeted my foyer, it is salt only. I don’t want any muddy sand in house.
I remember when you spoke of SoMi’s boots last year. I had a good chuckle at the image, but as long as he is comfy, it is all good.
December 10th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Remember when you came over and Maya was using a litter box because I just had surgery? Well, I confess that she is STILL using it because she won’t go out in the cold. I bought her a jacket and she wore it in the fall when it was only sort of cold. The other day I tried to take her to the bus stop with me and ended up having to carry her under my coat because she was so miserable. I finally gave up. She may be an indoor dog until it gets warmer. The trainer lady suggested we let her run on the treadmill but that sounds a bit dangerous to me. For now she seems fine. Luckily she isn’t a super high energy dog.
Does SoMi keep her boots on? Did she have a hard time getting used to them? We tried some on Maya and while it was funny to see her try to flick them off it isn’t something I pushed once I saw how miserable she was in the cold. Obviously the litter box thing isn’t an option for you since your dog isn’t tiny like mine but I am so thankful it is working for Maya.
December 10th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I think I recall pics of happy Somi in her boots frolicking in the snow. Adorable and practical. If I ever become a home owner the snow is the main reason why I would want a condo – so we could hire someone to deal with all that! I don’t care if that makes me prissy or lazy either!
December 10th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Oh, that just breaks my heart! I’m glad you take good care of her, even out of necessity. I’m sure there are dog owners out there who just say screw it, and bring their pups out in the cold with no additional layers to keep them warm.
We’ve had a cold front in Seattle this week, bringing freezing temperatures and icy roads. (No snow yet, though). It’s been in the single digits and low teens at night, and 20s and low 30s during the day. It is COLD. But I’m sure that seems warm to you! I can’t imagine what you guys must go through every winter! Stay warm! :-)
December 10th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I wish salt were unnecessary. It’s so harmful, especially where I live, where it all washes into our nice, freshwater lake.
December 10th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Photos of Somi in boots, please!! :)
December 10th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Poor little pup! You’re such a good doggy mommy. Hmmm… 4 months puts you around baseball season. Mark opening day on your calendar, but for a different reason!
December 10th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
My pups won’t wear boots but they definitely need them. Stel’s pads are so cracked from the salt. I put paw balm on but she just licks it off.
December 10th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Poor guy. But it does remind me why I don’t want another dog until maybe my kids are moved out and we have moved someplace warmer. Then… maybe then.
BTW, where do you get your wool sock? I realized I have no warm socks outside of my lounging around the house socks (though really not much lounging ever happens). And those have little rubber things on the bottom so one does not slip down the stairs. Not real practical to put shoes or boots over.
December 10th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
That is too adorable! I need to see a picture of Somi in the coat and boots!
December 10th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Before I got to the last paragraph I thought “she needs boots!” I think you should post a picture of her in her winter-wear. :)
I would die there. I get cold when it’s 60° in California. It was 39° the other morning when I drove to work and I thought my heart might stop.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Dog boots sound adorable! I have a routine too for cold weather. Today I looked like a snow ninja all bundled up. Stay warm!!
December 11th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Ahhh, I remember you talking about these last winter too! Poor SoMi…I can just see her all sad-faced, handing you her paws. Glad she’s got boots to keep her feet toasty and safe!
December 11th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
You just reminded me of why I moved from Ohio to Texas. Thank you.
December 11th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I’ve seen pictures of SoMi in the boots and she’s just as adorable. She has no reason to be ashamed! :)
You’ve brought to mind the smell of the snowy roads in Boston (while I complain about “freezing” weather in SF that’s actually about 45 degrees), so thanks for that! It’s such a lovely clean smell when it’s not so cold it’s stinging your nostrils.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I see you’ve discovered the downside of salt. Our cat brings it in on his paws.
Word or warning on salt. Use a synthetic ice melting product over salt as it causes less damage to sidewalks and driveways. And salt on any asphalt is not good. The breakdown of the asphalt is pretty harsh. We learned the hard way last winter.