We are finally having some steady NKY Spring weather so we’ve packed up all our coats, hats, gloves, boots, scarves and snoods. But the saying April showers bring May flowers has been holding pretty true this past month. Luckily we have been able to take most of our long walks around Mother Nature’s schedule, but the aftermath of a good rainfall can still make for a pretty wet stroll.
I despise soggy socks and gym shoes so thankfully I received a pair of Sperry ducks for Christmas last year. They keep my feet warm and dry and are also so cute with the leopard printed pattern.
I’m really not a fan of walking around with wet hair and speckled clothes either. We don’t walk the dogs if it’s raining more than a drizzle but we can’t always predict what will happen once we are out there. Chaos and I got rained on mid-walk a couple weeks ago and it was nice to have my Columbia rain jacket with a hood to keep me dry. Chaos was a pretty good sport though and kept sticking his tongue out and slurping rain drops into his mouth. He also found it fun to run his tongue across the blades of grades along the sidewalk and lick off all the water.
Ares and Chaos turn into wimps when they have to go potty and hear the rain coming down outside. Ares normally does not lift his leg to pee but if it’s raining he will go to the very edge of the patio and lift his leg just so he doesn’t have to walk out and get wet. Chaos will hold it until he can’t possibly wait anymore and then bolt outside when we open the door, do his business as quickly as possible and then rush back inside like he’s being chased by a lion. They don’t seem to mind a little drizzle if we are out walking but anything more intense and they just are not going to have it. End of story.
We are fortunate that our dogs are not afraid of thunderstorms or get anxious when it rains. Chaos went through a short period of time when thunder made him nervous but he overcame his fear and now sleeps right through the wicked storms we can get as the weather warms up. Our poor friend Thelma has a tough time with the wet weather and her mommy actually has to make a bed on the floor to help her keep calm and allow her to sleep.
Even though it’s been a little rainy, it’s been nice not to have to bundle up for our walks anymore. Strapping on harnesses and leashes is so quick compared to layering hoodies, coats and snoods underneath. Both Ares and Chaos wear harnesses when we go on walk, outings or visits. They have the tendency to get very excited, something we are always working on, and we don’t want them to get hurt from puling too hard with just a leash on their regular neck collars. Ares’s harness is just a standard athletic harness but Chaos’s has a leash ring on the top and at the chest. If I am walking him I usually strap his leash to the front ring because it gives me better control pulling at his shoulder rather than his back where he can actually draw more power from.
We walk the dogs with 4 ft leashes almost all the time. It’s much easier to keep them close if necessary or reel them back in if they get distracted when the leash is fairly short. We often pass by runners, bikers, strollers and scooters while walking and it’s important for us to be able to get the dogs off to one side of the sidewalk to keep everyone safe.
The warmer weather is drawing us outside more often for training and walks at more scenic locations but it also means I’m not always wearing a jacket and no jacket = no pockets. What’s a girl to do with all the dog treats? Put them in her PetSafe treat bag of course. I found and ordered one for Chris and one for myself on Amazon last month for just $13. The waist strap is adjustable and also removable if you would prefer to just clip the pouch onto your pants with the carabiner it comes with. I like how that there is a separate smaller pocket in the front where I can stash my keys, cellphone and poop baggies that velcros shut. And the larger pocket for the treats is roomy without being huge and designed so that it can stay closed or hold itself open for easy access to the treats.
The rain doesn’t dampen our spirits because we know it’s just helping bring life to all the beautiful trees, flowers and plants blooming. But we are looking forward to balmy summer nights listening to the crickets chirp and the smell of fresh cut grass. And maybe trying some new pupsicle recipes?!
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