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Every winter pets suffer injuries and sometimes die of the cold. Every year various groups post warnings.
So here it is. Remember it is cold and protect your pets.

http://news.google.ca/news/url?sr=1&ct2=...t=2&at=dt0


There should never be a dog outside suffering from the cold. There are so many ways to keep them safe.
Thanks for re-posting about cold dangers for animals Catherine. It's important that is at the forefront of anyone's minds in the winter. Not only domestic 'pets' either, but horses, cows, goats, other animals who spend their time mostly outside, need barns or shelters to go in and fresh straw.

I bought an oil-filled radiator for Sally-cat's room. It has made things in there so much nicer, so she has an alternative place to go when it is very cold and/or damp, other than her "polar bear bed".
Unfortunately, now all she wants to do is sit with her nose a quarter inch from it and has no inclination to do anything else! I am concerned about her eyes getting dry from it, or her burning her nose, but she doesn't seem to care, and I can't shift her away from it! I cannot block it, as it's meant to have free air circulation around it for safety reasons. Confused
A timely warning, Catherine. Here in France quite a few people keep their dogs in kennels outside all year, but when temperatures plummet a wooden box with an open door doesn't give enough protection, IMHO. When I lived in the UK (traditionally regarded as animal loving), I saw quite a few dogs kept outside in kennels, too. Dogs need warmth - and company, too....

Toby, looks like Sally Cat has gone from one extreme to the other, LOL!
It is sad when a dog is banished to a kennel outside.

I knew a border Collie (Misty's friend) who just wanted to be outside all the time, but even his people had a big utility room with a bed in there for him, and his food and water. There was also an open conservatory he liked. They found it hard to get him inside. But at least he had good shelter and was not forced to spend his whole life outside. But he really loved horrible weather! The more horrible it was, the happier he was! Huh  He enticed me and Misty to many a walk in a 10 degree below blizzard! (Misty wearing 2 coats of course!)

But many dogs are not like that. And even the toughest dogs need to get out of the elements and have a wind proof place to go. All dogs of course, enjoy being a part of their family, and most enjoy a fireside.

Haha....I have worked out how to keep Sally's nose and face away from the heater. I put a lovely comfortable cat rug down in front of it (in safe distance) Now she treats it like a nuclear war zone. I guess -that's cats for ya! She preferred her polar bear bed tonight!
Those oil heaters are great. They are really safe. I have one for my unheated storage/work area. They keep a small space warm.
It would be perfect for sally. I can picture her with her nose near the heat. I don't know if they can get hot enough to burn her nose. Putting a rug in front of it was a good idea. Sally doesn't like anything different. The heater will be enough to keep her room warm.  She does seem to like comfort this winter.

It is too cold for most dogs to be out. I know a big Newfoundland dog that probably doesn't know it is winter yet. Penny and your collie friend are the exceptions. The rest of the dogs need to be protected from the cold.

You wouldn't think we need to remind people every year, but it is like the dogs in hot cars problem. Every year people leave dogs where they suffer from cold or heat and sometimes die. We make a big deal out of warning people and next year they will act as if they have never heard of the problem.

During a power outage that happened in -20C weather, some  people with reptiles went to work and left their reptiles to take their chances. They died from the cold. I stayed home in the cold with my reptiles and when I could no longer keep them warm enough, I evacuated them to a place with heat. All our pets need to be cared for during weather extremes.

Dog houses can be heated or better insulated. I am sure there are lots of things that can be done.
Better than that why not bring the dog into the home where it should be in the first place.
I don't take Suzy out when it's frigid out there. I have pee pads laid down for her on place holders for them. She uses them, too. I used to take her out when it was frigid out there but she would start limping because ice got stuck in her paw pads. She loves to jump in the snow though so I may take her out for a romp in the snow once it gets warmer. I just have to tend to her paw pads right away and I do.
A lot of people are using pee pads for small dogs. The cold is too much for them. Ice in the paws can really hurt and even do damage. The salt can make the pads dry out and crack.
It is much better to keep Suzy in when it is bad and let her use the pads.
It is safer for you too. You don't want to risk slipping on the ice.

Spring will cone and we can all go outside again and feel warm.
Until then, keep warm.