Jolie here: I am really enjoying my new winter clothes. Mom says I look awesome. It has gotten really cold in the mornings so a sweater and even a coat are required. Mom is contemplating something called boots too because I hate when my feet are wet, but I am not sure that I would like them. Don’t you think this sweater goes great with my coloring? Your loss Charles, you never liked to wear clothes anyway.
This is Jolie’s first winter with us. Because she has hair, not fur like Charles, I don’t know if she is cold. Luckily, his sweaters, which he hates, fit her. She likes them. Here she is impersonating Rockey Raccoon.
Have an awesome Black & White Sunday and welcome to meteorological winter.
Though February usually is the coldest month in the mid-Atlantic, it was 65 degrees many days (welcome to Maryland). January turned out to be the real freezer this year with January 5th being 5 below zero Fahrenheit. That is just too cold for woman or beast. We only take short walks on days like that. There were a few days, mostly with ice and sleet, that I just couldn’t do it at all.
The chart below, which I found on PetPlan.com, came in handy when I was trying to figure out if it was OK for the dogs to be outside and for how long. I never really thought about it much for the big dogs, but with the little guy (15 to 18 lbs) I guess I have to be more careful. The chart says even under 40 degrees could potentially be harmful to a little dog. I think he is heartier than that.
What do you think? At what temperature do you only run out to do your business and come right back in?
The wind was howling at about 50 miles per hour. We went to the park anyway. The wind is ‘nature’s rake’ when it comes to leaves – blowing them everywhere. The street in front of the house is clear now thanks to the wind (but you should see the lawn). Sofie couldn’t stop barking with all the whistling through the trees. That isn’t static in the video, it is the wind. Doesn’t it sound like the ocean? Do your animals get agitated when the wind picks up? That my friends is the negative force of POSITIVE IONS.
The force of the wind causes positive ions, which can make people feel jittery. And if people feel it, I assume the animals do too. A positive ion is a carbon dioxide molecule that has been stripped of an electron (Note: science can be fun!). There are many studies that have found that positively charged ions have a negative effect on people. It is believe that positive ions contribute to everything from asthma to anxiety and depression.
Sadly, our modern day environments (tightly sealed homes, office buildings, malls) created tons of positive ions. Fluorescent lights, electrical equipment, computers, printers, televisions, clothes dryers, and even synthetic fibers in our clothes, carpets, and furniture, all contribute to this problem. Hair dryers and electric heaters are huge emitters of positive ions! How many times have you gotten shocked when petting your animal? STATIC = positive ions.
The opposite of positive ions, as you would expect, are NEGATIVE IONS. You find negative (what I call ‘feel good”) ions in nature. Large areas of water, for example, make people feel good. I think it is because of negative ions that people flock to the ocean and places like Niagara Falls. Negative ions are attracted to airborne particles, like dust, mold, viruses even, and they make them heavy so they fall to the ground.
Now before you go out and buy one of those expensive negative ion generators**, fill your home and life with things that generate negative ions. We have a lot of fountains with running water (also known as cat watering stations) through out the house. I run humidifiers. Water water everywhere.
I think that the reason shopping malls tend to have large fountains in the center is based on my negative ion water theory (I need to ask an architect about this). The stores are giant generators of positive ions because of the lighting, synthetics, traffic, etc. I know because a million years ago, I managed a clothing store in a mall. Every winter the plastic hangers would break constantly because things were dry, full of static, and brittle. A center fountain in a mall or office building might do a little bit to make people feel better. Crazy maybe, but I believe it.
** I never used (or could afford) a Negative Ion Generating Machines, but I think it would have to be the size of a room in my house to counteract the positive ions generated by everything else. I chose the water route. Maybe you have had a ‘positive’ experience with those machines, if so, let me know.
How does the wind effect your fur babies? Did you get blown away this week?
As difficult as her separation anxiety, obsessive compulsive behavior, night terrors, and constant allergies are for me, she is a funny, happy, silly girl. Every animal is a gift and a lesson. She has taught me such patience and rewarded me with unconditional devotion.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
DogDaz Zoo 
