English Setters are quite content to be couch potatoes. Very happy on a cold winter’s day to stay settled in a round ball on a cozy dog bed by the fire.
Exercise is a must – even on days with whipping winds – just a short outing to move around and get some air. Good for both people and dogs! The blizzard managed to drop about 5 inches in our area of western Massachusetts… a lot less than the eastern part of the state. The wind is whipping around so strongly, moving the snow as it goes, that there actually are many bare spots of grass.
Out we went – the 3 dogs and me – armed with snowshoes. The snowshoes blaze trails for our senior girl Trudi, making it possible for her to get around. She follows right behind me.
Annabelle – our 3 year old pup – raced out the door, James following, creating trails ahead of me. Around the 2 raced. Trudi waited while I mounted the snowshoes and took off. She loved it; we all loved it! Wind whipping, air crispy cold. They love to play the snowshoe game.
I have no idea how cold the wind chill is making the air… but the game was a short one. James was the first at the door, signalling time to go in; to lie back down by the fire.
It was a good break; an important break. Yesterday, with the start of the storm coming early, I made the mistake of letting our senior girl Trudi lie on her bed by the fire all day… when she did get up for a time out before her dinner, it was hard for her to move her old joints. Important for all, especially the seniors, to have regular exercise during the day. Winter weather is challenging.
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