Wednesday, February 04, 2015

Paw Condoms

We've finally had some snow this winter, and it continues to fall through this week. My little dog Cody is a mini Australian Shepherd, and he absolutely loves snow and winter in general. He has endless energy and could spend all day every day walking. His only trouble is that he has tender paws. I take him for daily walks on pavement, but his paw pads have always been tender and susceptible to road salt in winter. When it snows, the snow melts onto his paws and the salt sticks to the melted snow and he just sits down and cries in pain.  


I looked for some little booties for him, but they are far over priced. I refuse to pay $80 Cdn. (right now that's about $63 US) for a pair, especially when I find these same expensive boots abandoned in snow drifts come spring. They just fall off the dogs' feet. 


I've not taken Cody for a walk since our heavy snowfall last Thursday, but he goes a little crazy if he can't go for a walk after a couple of days. Last night I headed back to the pet store and found these ...


They're like a thick balloon, and come in packs of 12. Disposable! Little paw condoms ;) And at $17 Cdn for three sets, a bargain! Cody thought they were a bit weird at first and he refused to put his paw down when I put it on him. Once all four paws were covered, he just lay on the floor with a look like "you've got to be kidding". I then used that four-letter word that all dogs crave "WALK!!" and he sprang into action. I just wish these things weren't fire engine red. Here he is trying hard to look dignified ;)


My little Twinkle Toes!


When I sent a photo to my daughter, she said he looks goofy. But she's happy I finally found something for his paws.


The booties worked great however, despite their silly look. I sent him through some deep snow at the soccer field (which he loves), and he came back to me every time with all four paws still twinkling with red ;)


I swear he was smiling again as we walked along together. No pain for him, and I no longer have to lift him over the heavily salted areas of the sidewalks.


This morning we followed the sidewalk snow plow, which made things a little easier too. You can see it in the photo below as the big yellow tractor with lights on the sidewalk.


Cody was thrilled to be walking again ... here he is back from the snowdrifts covered with snow. 


When we came back home, he wanted outside again!! I went out with him as he raced and raced around the yard, and came galloping towards me, full of beans and happiness!


While Cody burnt off some energy, I snapped a few photos in the backyard. A couple of times he surprised me by jumping right up in my face with the camera! He must have been feeling great because normally he would never dare to jump up at me.  The garden bench looked quite inviting with it's new thick down pillow. The shed is quite snug with a layer of snow on the roof.


My patio table is a good measure for the amount of snow that has fallen so far. It's still sifting down today, but I think the next big storm is expected tomorrow.


And here's my helper for the heavy snow we've had. We finally broke down and bought this for last winter. We got it just in time then! Last winter was a lot snowier than this winter ... of course it's not over yet. Since I do most of the shoveling of the driveway in this family, I'm thrilled to have this noisy beast rather than heaving the snow up high with a shovel onto the sides of our sunken driveway.



I just wish we had something for the stairs.


Well, that's my ramble for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Wendy

23 comments:

  1. What a great idea! I'm sure Cody will have got over his embarrassment very quickly with the promise of so much fun in the snow! ;) Bee xx

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  2. Awww....I think he looks adorable in his little red "boots"! How wonderful that they're working out so great for him. We've looked at the over priced boots many times for our dog but just can't get ourselves to shell out that much money for them. I'm happy to see that these work so well. I love that they're red. But, then again, I have a thing for red shoes. Plus, that'll make them easy to find if they fall off. ;-) The snow looks so pretty but oh so cold!

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  3. Well now these are a treat! I had a conversation with a friend only yesterday about her dog getting those icy bits stuck to his fur and how it's put her off taking him out in the snow. These will do the trick! And what a handsome model Cody makes x Jane

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  4. I'm sorry but those are bloody genius!!! I wish I would have invented something like that! He looks adorable in his little booties!!! And your snowy photos are just so stunning Wendy! So glad your little buddy is able to get out and enjoy his walks around!! Wishing you a lovely Wednesday! Nicole xo

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  5. I am so glad that you have found something that works for Cody and you! I was literally just thinking about you and him struggling on your walks earlier today when I was reading someone elses blog and they were talking about those snow boots for their dog. I think that these are a great idea! Good too because if just one goes missing you can just replace that one at a time. I am glad for you that you have the snowblower, it looks as though it does a great job! Never seen a sidewalk snowblower before though, a new one to me! Great idea too. xx

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  6. I am so excited you found the perfect thing for Cody's paws-and cool that they stay on so well too-maybe down the road they will offer better colors-Cody looks so happy-this makes my day-hugs

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  7. Hello Wendy

    I am so pleased you found little booties for Cody, I can't bear to think of his poor little paws, and he
    looks brilliant in them. Your snow photos are wonderful, and love the snow blower.

    luv
    irene
    xxxx.

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  8. Cody knows he's on trend and super cool. Cody ,red is your colour and you ROCK those boots!
    Jane x

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  9. Cody looks cute with the paws booties.. My Goldie Girl's used to get awful from walking in the snow.. This is a great idea.. I loved your photos, very pretty snowy scenes..

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  10. You do have a lot of snow, and those little paw condoms are amazing looking and know your puppy is a much happier camper with these on his feet. I have often seen also hand sewn booties which I am sure are pretty easy to make. You might consider that if these don't work out.

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    Replies
    1. I actually did sew some boots for him, but they wouldn't stay on his feet. That's the great thing about these red boots, they'rerubber and fit snug around his skinny little ankles.

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  11. I'll be looking for these when I come home because Topaz has tender pads too. The mutt luks sit in the basement for the same reasons they gave you grief. Also, I feel the Velcro ties cut off their circulation.
    The red booties make me think of Dorothy's red shoes. :-)

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  12. Oh He looks so so happy !!!!! very moving for me !! That's great, you've had a fantastic idea ! And what a heavy snow ... here still no snow !!! Have a cozy day ....

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  13. Those little boots are rather cute! Your snowfall makes our light covering look pathetic.

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  14. Hi Wendy, I've just found you via Jane and Chris, via Briony, via the Owl webcam. What a neat solution for Cody's paws, he looks so pleased to be able to charge about in the snow! So good when something simple works. CT:o)

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  15. Oh he looks a little cutie in his little red boots. So sweet!

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  16. Those booties are brilliant! I used to have problems with Fergus's paws when we lived in Kamloops. There is a kind if wax you can get for dogs' paws that will also protect them. I think it's used on sled dogs. The name has slipped my mind, but if you Google for dog paw wax you should come up with it if you're interested.

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  17. I'm so relieved that you have found something for Codys paws Wendy I remember feeling so sorry for him last year when you told me about the salt. What a great idea and who cares what they look like if they do the job it's lovely to see him having so much fun in the snow. Your snow pictures look lovely. :) xx

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  18. Glad you found those booties for Cody! Sounds like he really enjoyed the snow walk. Loved your photos!

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  19. I can just see him after all four were put on thinking what the heck is this? Ha! Who cares what they look like if they do the trick. Besides, Cody is so very handsome. He can pull off the red booties. So fun to see him running about enjoying the snow. Warm wishes and happy Friday,Tammy

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  20. Wendy, those booties are adorable. Are they able to be used more than one time?

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  21. Your dog looks quite similar to ours, which is a Grey County Mutt, but she has some Australian Shepherd in her someplace. Luckily they don't use salt very often on our little road.

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