This Just In...

Kevin has given this weekend’s dog walking forecast a “D.”  Great if you want to walk Fido today but you’ll have to actually FIND him in all this fog!  Maybe a little flasher on his collar today is in order.

Today’s warm temperatures are nothing but a short and welcome break from the bone-chilling averages that we should be used to by now in Wisconsin.  So let’s not get too enthused about a snow-free rest of the winter dog walking season.

I’ve mentioned Mickey many times in my blog, a precious Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier in our neighborhood.  Her owner George puts a purple sweater on her when the temperature dips but she does not wear boots.  (She does, however, have dryer-warmed towels waiting for her upon her return.)  George takes her about three blocks to stretch her legs and do her “doggy duty.”  Then it’s home to hot towels and probably a hot beverage for him!  He is also dressed appropriately in hunter orange polar-weight pants and jacket.  But just looking at the twosome makes ME shiver from the warmth of my home.

I have vowed that our future dog will have the run of the back yard but will NOT become accustomed to twice-daily walks in all sorts of weather.  I don’t walk MYSELF in this, I’m not waiting for my future Remy to decide what just the right spot is when it’s ten degrees below zero.

The Dog Lady from the Chicago Sun Times offers us reassurance for the sanity of walking in all weather, and some tips on appropriate time limits for this time of year.

So enjoy the mild temperatures today but remember, you and Fido will probably need to bundle up until our June thaw.
----Jennifer Fischer


Thanks again, Jennifer. I'm not sure I totally agree with the Sun Times' Dog Lady. That's cutting it close. Look at question #8 for a chart on how long humans can stay outside when temps are cold and winds are howling.

Time once again for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.

Milwaukee Magazine examines puppy mills.

There's controversy in Texas over the shooting of wild dogs.

If the economy gets too tough, would you give up your dog? Many people are.

Meet Dexter, an Iraq war hero.

Bentley makes it home for Christmas, and that wasn't easy.

Would a dog be better than Rod Blagojevich?

Is your dog a ham? That's not unusual.

Here's some advice from the state tourism folks on traveling with your dog.

Want more advice? How about getting your dog ready for holiday parties?

Is there advice on how to keep your dog from being a kleptomaniac?

There are plenty of reviews out about the hot movie, Marley and Me. Guess how many dogs it took to make the film?

This is our last Barking Lot for 2008. Jennifer and I have enjoyed bringing this special feature to you every Saturday morning and we are extremely gratified by the response. We'll be back in 2009, and close this week's installment with the trailer for Marley and Me.