November 18, 2010

Seasons for the Dogs

Although I frequently have conversations with my dogs, rest assured that I don’t hear them speaking back to me! I think if I did, though, they’d ask me when the weather is going to get warmer again. At 14 degrees during our walk this morning, I’m pretty sure all three of us were longing for the down comforter on the bed.

Summers here in Northern Virginia are hot and humid and neither of the dogs care for it that much. Kima’s thick, black coat gets hot to the touch within minutes of being outside, and Easton, being a brachycephalic breed, overheats quite quickly. Most of their walks in the peak of summer are strictly for doing their business and getting back inside to the air conditioning. When we do venture out for longer walks, we make sure to bring lots of water and wet paper towels or baby wipes (I wipe them down just to offer a little cooling relief).

Fall is beautiful, of course, but the dogs are unappreciative of the foliage. Also, they kind of hate me for things like this:

(And I don’t even get chocolate!)

I don’t blame them.

I’d say that both pups favor spring over any other season. Easton particularly loves chasing “the birdies,” though he’s quite inept at actually catching them. Kima is most fond of sitting in front of an open window and watching and sniffing all afternoon. They get lots of walks and runs in the park, and they both like to find that sun spot on the carpet and bask in it.

For now, we’re all making do with winter, and although none of us are partial to the below freezing temperatures, I think we all get a little smitten by the beauty and quiet of the first snow.