Snow Lay Off

[boothros]

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Partly in response to Anns coat thread, but rather than hijack it completely with another subject, I have a bit of a guilty secret which I will share with you, wondered about your opinions. I havn't taken the dogs out now for 2 days!

The first few days after our first heavy downfall was not too bad, the pathways were crunchy and reasonably safe and I took the girls to the fields (with coats on!) and they seemed to have a good time, though they were pleased to see the radiators when they got home.

The problems since then however have been the worsening conditions underfoot. Our running fields are a 20 minute walk away. Last night I took a trip to the local co op which is a five minute walk away to buy some non existant milk and that trip took me 20 minutes due to the slippyness and I didnt have two keen dogs with me. Now whilst I know that I SHOULD have trained my darlings not to pull on the lead, the sad fact is when it comes to walking to the fields THEY DO. I have access to 3 cars which could transport the dogs, one wont make it to the (probably fuel less) petrol station, ones battery died as soon as we had a snowflake, and the one that starts up absolutely beautifully is completely iced in and not going nowhere.

My colleague at work took her spaniel yesterday to her fields which are similar to mine (nice flat playing fields) and where the snow down here has become very hard now (the sort of icy snow that snowmen are made of), he hurt his leg quite badly having got a foot stuck in the stuff whilst playing. (The vets carpark was also closed due to ice!)

Getting to work has been a nightmare enough, I've nearly gone arse over tit twice just making it from the front door to the taxi and thats about 6 yards.

So dear friends, I ask you am I being sensible in letting the dogs sleep under the duvet all day whilst I stomp about in a mood having no sustanance except mouldy bread and black tea, or am I being a complete wuss?

 

[T Hoare]

I doubt if your the only one, we haven't been able to take ours out. Neither of us want to slip over, possibly injuring ourselves or the dogs. What use we either of us be to them if we are injured? Our walks are all paths (as we live in town) which are still covered in ice & snow. A couple of days of not being exercised/walked is not going to harm them.

 

[TTT]

My dogs are not whippets, but i'm sure like many peoples dogs, they are happy to be where I am - and where I am is inside in the heat! They run outside and make yellow snow and quickly run back in again . Conditions outside are treacherous so I feel it won't do them any harm to stay indoors until it improves. To me it is not worth getting injured for the sake of getting a dog out for a run, so we are sitting tight and I don't feel one bit guilty!

 

[jinnyfizz]

You are being a sane and sensible person, Sharon :thumbsup:

They can do all their running when conditions are more suitable ......... that way you all stay safe and well x

 

[gilliwigs]

Well, I am really glad you posted this Sharon because I've been feeling exactly the same about not getting the dogs out! We had a walk today and I took Jonah out yesterday (Muffin lasted 10 minutes before he stood there shivering) but before that we had at least 3 days without a walk. We do have a nice big garden and a lot of their time has been spent running and playing in that so they have been getting some exercise. Like you I have 2 pullers and although we have plenty of places to walk them, we also have to get there along pavements which are a bit dodgy! :unsure: It does sound as though we're not the only ones, so perhaps we should both stop feeling guilty - I'm sure it won't be too long ( :- ) before the weather gets better and we can all enjoy our walks again.

 

[Suerose]

Totally sympathise with people who aren't managing to get out at the mo. During the icy patch before Christmas I went crashing down on my a**e and, after a quick Google came up with these wonderful things: YakTrax.

I wish I was getting commission because I've recommended them to so many people . The roads and pavements around here have been like a skating rink for the past week but with these I can walk quite safely and happily on them. I think I would have gone bonkers if I'd been stuck indoors all that time. (OK, more bonkers!).

Sorry to sound like an advert, but they really have been a huge help .

 

[boothros]

Relieved at these replys, glad I'm not the only one taking the wussy option! Sue those look great especially at that price, recon youve been recommending them a bit too much tho as they're out of stock!

 

[FeeFee]

Last year I was determined that the dogs 'must' go out in a horrible icy spell. I ended up slipping and cracking my elbow and then couldn't walk them for two weeks (luckily my husband managed to get them out most days). Definitely not worth the risk!

I've invested in the meantime in a pair of excellent hiking boots which have fantastic grip on ice, but there have still been a couple of days during this cold snap when I haven't taken them out as it wasn't safe. We've done games and clicker training at home, which has tired out their tiny brains instead :lol:

 

[T Hoare]

I have just seen on my local news that a man wears his golf shoes (not walking dogs though) whilst on a walk. I would think this seems a good idea as they have spikes on the bottom, if i'm not mistaken.

 

[bertha]

You are right Tracey! I have chickened out taking mine out, scared of falling over. People who know me know I do it for a pastime lol. They go out and can't wait to get back in again. I have taken the across our back access lane to have a thrash in the bottom garden and that's it. They are panting when they have chased the ball for a while.

 

[whippetmad]

We have been very careful too,theres no way i,m risking my dogs or ourselves.Poor Willow hurt his leg the other day when he went on the ice and that was out in the garden!!!.Also we kept them on their leads,as theres been so many accidents regarding people walking their dogs,one poor chap died trying to rescued his two dogs as they wondered off on the icy waters.And a dog died over the Christmas time going on the icy river not far from me.

So don't feel gulity

 

[wilfred]

Same here, we've not taken ours out for walks when the weather's been at its worst or icy - it really isn't worth the risk to woman or beast. Instead we've done training or chucking raggers and "fetching" games indoors - not the same but they still get a bit of running about and a lot of attention that way. They're just glad to get back to their radiators when they've been into the garden to go to the loo ... and one of mine, I have to nudge outside, telling him to "be brave" and he runs out, does the necessary and rushes back inside ASAP!

And that's a dog who loves his walks and offlead runs - but go outside in this weather, Mum? Not on your nelly!

 

[AnnSa]

Sharon even my girls have been under house arrest

for 3 days, well thay have had a bit of of a fling

round the yard/garden but no walks. Even though i

know that once on the beach they can run at the

waters edge.....the salt there wont allow the snow to

settle.........it was too dangerous to attempt the walk

over there

 

Bit of a thaw going on today so im hoping i can get

them out tomorrow.......i need to blow the cobwebs

away as much as they do.

 

[~Annie~]

I'm lucky here I suppose ... if lead walking were the only option we'd have been limited but I have easy access to open land so mine have had a mooch off lead every day. But we've only had snow since Tuesday so we've been making the most of it ... we love snow and so do the whippets.

Of course no one should feel guilty for choosing to stay home with their pointies in the warm and limit exercise, but then neither should those who choose to brave the elements with coated or uncoated whips :thumbsup:

 

[Whippets Rule]

I can understand people not taking their dogs out but mine would savage me to death if I didn't go out every day lol...I have walked my dogs everyday of their lives apart from post op days or one single occasion when I was too ill...

I have been dragged on my face through slush and ice this afternoon when James wanted to say hello to a border collie( its owner helped me to my feet laughing all the while), I guess it really depends on the dogs but mine really couldn't tolerate being under house arrest for even a single day..then again i'm lucky because James is the only puller and that's only for the first half hour of the walk, after that even he is more settled.

I think provided the dogs get some play time and mental stimulation then it's ok for a day or so but mine really would go stir crazy!!

 

[Nicola]

It's up to each person what they feel they can safely cope with. I love this cold weather and am mostly happy to go out, donning down jacket and hiking boots. I live on a quiet road and have been able to pick my way along the road without fear of being run over (pavements too icy) to the park which is 2 mins walk away. I don't have much choice really, because I can't safely let mine out in the garden for any prolonged period. Luckily my two aren't pullers anymore (it gets better with age). Don't feel guilty...I'm sure you'll make it up to them later.... It's all melting now anyway....

 

[Janimal]

Mine do pull, and I have to be cautious on the footpaths...but fortunately dont have far to go before Im in lots of fields

and open spaces. Our snow is quite sloppy now...still deep in the fields but the ice has gone thank goodness for now.

I do have quite a big garden...and the dogs will have a quick wee... :lol: and the odd poo.... but go out regardless of the weather usually three times a day....

which sometimes drops to twice in these dark cold nights. My boisterous lads would be climbing the walls if they didnt get their walks... :wacko: and start staring me

out when its time to go out...

 

[hely]

Gypsy has been out everyday.....although the other while crossing the road she slipped and landed on her side...nearly pulling me on top of her....she was fine :wub:

i think if you dont feel its safe then stay indoors, our roads are slush now so a bit safer :unsure:

 

[TillynPip]

We've had no problems at all snow, ice or slush. On walks Gracie literally hops, skips and jumps as usual and three legged Tilly goes over any terrain at high speed without even noticing. As someone else said, if I kept my two in they would be climbing the walls and thoroughly miserable. In the end it's up to the individual and their dog/s.