[nagdu] winter questions

[Marion & Martin]

Kolby,
    I cannot answer that question for you. I think it depends upon the 
individual dog. My former guide dog was a Labrador Retriever who was born 
and bred in Florida. When I traveled to michigan one winter, he absulutely 
loved the cold weather and the snow. My current guide is a Shepherd Collie 
mix and enjoys being out in the cold, but "cold" is relative. It is supposed 
to get cold here tonight and for the next three nights. Keep in mind I am in 
Florida, so "cold" means it will be about 38 degrees. Here I deal with a 
different type of inclement weather. During the summer we get some pretty 
wet days. On these days, even if I must go out in the rain, my dog does not, 
so I leave her home.
    If your dog is uncomfortable, then it should be left home. Otherwise, it 
may stop working because it no longer is enjoying the experience.
    We just read a piece about PETA claiming we abuse our dogs. Even though 
their examples of abuse were completely off-base, would it be more accurate 
to say that forcing a dog to work when it is extremely cold and the dog is 
uncomfortable is abusive? I realize there may be extenuating circumstances, 
so we need to do all we can to treat our guides humanely under these 
conditions, which is what Martha is trying to find out. I hope some on this 
list will have some recommendations for her.
    BTW, if it is absulutely necessary to take your dog out in the rain, one 
good makeshift way to keep them dry is a trash bag with holes cut for the 
head and front feet. Also, one of Julie's great nylon harnesses are an 
essential piece of gear for wet conditions!

Fraternally,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kolby Garrison" <kolbygarrison at triad.rr.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 11:53 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] winter questions


> Hello Marion and All,
> How cold is too cold for our dogs? I live in North Carolina, where the
> weather typically is mild but can also be very unpredictable. Under what
> weather conditions should we hang up the harness and elect to use the cane
> for the day?
> Kolby
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/swampfox1833%40verizon.net