Hello and hopefully this finds you not TOO miserable being back among the working this fine Monday morning!  Just remember, we’re only days away from Thanksgiving and the sleepy, belly-filled weekend that will be sure to follow!  This Monday, we here at DoggiBling just wanted to impart some very important warnings to you:  NEVER give your dog an electric blanket!

That’s right, according to an article I just read, a chihuahua named Bubba in Bakersfield, California, is extremely lucky to be alive after chewing through an electric blanket and getting severely electrocuted.  Apparently, whilst snuggling into his electric blanket, Bubba chewed through and into the power cord and got shocked.  He immediately was unconscious and not breathing so his owners gave him CPR.  Luckily, they revived him and he was rushed to an animal hospital to recover with some severe burns.

Nevertheless, this is just a reminder for all you, like me, in colder climates:  Never attempt to warm your dog up with an electric blanket.  The electrical current running through it can be fatal, as Bubba almost proved.  Dogs chew, and if they chew the wrong things, they might not be chewing long, so please, please heed this warning!  Now, go snuggle up with your pets, keep each other warm and enjoy the rest of your Monday morning!

Each and every dog breed is born with a coat of fur.  That much we know to be true.  What we don’t often realize is, not all coats are created equal and there are a great deal of dogs out there that just can not handle the cold or rainy conditions that Winter brings all over this country.  While a Husky might be perfectly pleased to sit outside on a freezing cold day, a little Yorkie or Bichon Frise might freeze it’s little paws off.  That said, this Winter you might just have to start investing in some Winter clothes not only for you, but for your furry friends!

Bottom line, regardless of what breed you have, make sure they are warm enough this Winter, and stay dry on the chilly days.  There are plenty of ways to do this, and all are important.  An article I just read mentioned that Winter can be some of the most challenging times for dogs as their bodies struggle to regular their body temperatures by burning more calories than usual.  Here are some things to keep in mind if Winter where you live often gets nasty:

• If it is rainy where you are, you might want to invest in an easy to put on rain jacket for dogs, they make them in a wide variety of colors and sizes, so finding one to fit should be no problem at all.
• If the snow can get deep and accumulate, think about buying some booties that strap onto your dogs paws.  Ice chunks can develop between dog paws that become very painful.
• Sweaters and Dog Jackets can actually do wonders on keeping heat in for a smaller dog.  If you take your dog out on long walks during Winter months, try one.
• If your dog stays out long periods during colder weather, make sure to increase their daily caloric intake to compensate for the amount they will lose keeping themselves warm.  More food.
• Remember to keep their exercise up if they stay indoors during the cold spells.  They still need their fitness!

So, start investing in some dog Winter clothes.  Trust me, they will thank you!!