Greetings to all! Here in Iowa, we have a near-continual mix of snow, sleet, ice and freezing rain to contend with. We have noticed with Sam, our new adoptee, that when outdoors, after a short while, he will sit and raise his paws because they are cold. His discomfort with the snow decreases the time he is willing to spend outdoors, creating the need for TWO outs, about 10 minutes apart, to accomplish his "business". And, Sam wants Rich to go out with him each time, for right now. Sophie knows what's what, and gets everything done quickly, in one "out".
Back when Stormy was new to Iowa (he was adopted out of San Antonio, TX) he also had some paw discomfort before becoming acclimated. For him, my sister bought him boots, which he scoffed at as he kicked them off (you could never keep 4 of them on him) but for a short while, before he became acclimated, he wore infant-size socks, which stayed on his massive paws quite well (One of Stormy's paws covered most of the palm of my hand easily). Sam has a smaller, more slender shaped paw, maybe a wee bit bigger than Rich's thumb (Rich is a tall guy, with a large man's thumb). Any ideas? I do sew quite well...any design ideas/concepts? The main design problem would likely be getting them to stay on. Although, I wonder...maybe cutting the fingertip ends off of a large rubber glove to make little stretchy galoshes? Come on, folks...ideas...I need ideas! :)
We ARE enjoying Sam...he has instant-trigger instinct reflexes whenever a toy is squeaked, and is wildly playful. He and Sophie are tolerating each other very well, and Sophie is warming up to him slowly. He has a strong bond to Rich, which was our intent, as Sophie is my "baby-girl". This way, they each have a personal lap. Sam needs some basic training, like "at the door" manners, but is overall, a good and bright boy, and quite a cuddle-pup. He's doing pretty darn good for having been with us only days!
Anyhow...out with those paw-wear ideas!
Deb G.
See the picture!!
That's Bib-style pupper pants - you'll have to modify the back ones for "escape hatches" - he he he.
Auntie KarP.S. Pay no attention to that woman in the photo!
I like Karen's idea. (I can never come up with the original idea but i know how to use them!) I would use the bib idea and use shoe laces or some other sturdy string and the the ends to the thumbs of large work gloves, you would need two pairs of laces and two pairs of gloves. I can't remember the name but I am thinking of the ones used by our grounds keepers at work. they are leather and tan or slightly yellowish when they are new. (The ones the grounds keepers have turn green pretty quickly.) You could leave some of the hand portion of the glove as some chest protection. Message me and i can be a little more descriptive if you are interested. I would make pants out of the gloves and tie them over the back with laces.
two set of baby mittens complete wth strings?
I like Karen's idea too...kind of a footed "wader" like the trout guys wear. Perhaps I can whip up a pair sometime this weekend--I have plenty of fabric scraps, velcro and all implements sewing. Probably do a jersey type knit or old sock fabric with perhaps a polar fleece footbed liner. I think that he probably mostly needs just front ones. The discomfort isn't apparent in the back, and he needs the back open to do his business. And, the baby mitten idea made me realize that I might be able to knit him something (I'm a beginner knitter, and have now finished a scarf (except for the tassels) and two sock-shaped-objects. Maybe dachsie-mitts are next?) Thanks for the great advice and ideas, everyone! I'll let you know Sam's reactions and what ends up working. :)
Deb G.
Here's the site for Muttluks-maybe you could borrow their design and modify it to your needs.
http://www.muttluks.com/our_products/muttluks.php
From Willy and Alex in Alaska: We pretty much say to heck with that cold weather outside. We are paper-trained and that works very well, especially in the winter time. You never know when you go outside if there might be a moose in the yard. We, too, freeze up a leg or two when its really cold out, mom calls them "flat tires", and we have to be carried in. Especially Alex who has a 1.5 inch plate in his back leg due to breaking it a few years ago. We like the idea of baby socks, though, that might work. But we would vote for puppy pads anyday. Brrrrr......who wants to go out in the middle of the night??? Or suffer with legs crossed? Not us! By the way, we do know how to "go outside", in fact we think its fun to take a dump in the woods out back.
I'm so happy that Sam is fitting in. When you say "door manners" does that mean they aren't supposed to act like a bunch of hoodlums, jumpin' and carrying on? Hmmmm, oh GIRLS! I don't sew and I live in CA, so don't have much of a need, but I am enjoying the ideas that are coming across.
I got tired of looking for booties, so I sewed them on Ceaser's bodysuit,
actually works great, he was running around with no problem,
and we are into our third second of -30. He is a real trooper
to put up with the outfits. and the cold.
oooops wrong pic
Oliver here...............oh my goodness you let yourself get seen outside in that outfit.............thank goodness I'm a long hair and I live in OZ.
Amy here............ shut up you unsophisitacted male, I think he looks really cute