[nagdu] Going out in the cold

[Tracy Carcione]

When I lived in Mennesota, I routinely went places when the weather was
below 0.  I remember walking a couple blocks to a party once when it was
50 below.  We didn't have dog boots back then, and I also neglected my
mittens.  But Glade and I were fine. Not sure I'd do it again now, but I
might.
Back then, and now, I have things to do and places to go.  Work, school,
having fun!  And, in Mennesota, if one is going to leave the dog home when
the weather's cold, the dog is going to be home for about 6 months out of
the year.  What's the point of that?  Why have a guide dog at all, if
you're leaving it home a lot? Leaving aside the semi-retired crowd, which
is a different case.
These are not delicate little lapdogs.  They're big, strong, furry
animals.  Their brothers jump in to freezing lakes to retrieve ducks.
Some of our dogs may be uncomfortable in the cold, and there are ways to
deal with that.  But most of them don't much mind.  Ben certainly doesn't,
judging by the length of time he spends smelling every snowflake when I
take him out to relieve himself.
So no one has to feel guilty about using their dog in reasonable ways, and
that includes going out in the cold.
Tracy