Day at the Parlour

You've probably noticed how shaggy Oslo has been getting. He's got a lot of fur going on, and gets quite a few comments. It was time for a haircut. Dawn of a New Day is really quite crafty and called me just as I was thinking I should make an appointment. Today was the day for a haircut. Oslo has got quite the strut going on in the first place, but tell him he's handsome after a few hours of grooming, and you'll get a knowing smile like this:

While we were waiting to pay, there was a cat on the counter, which allowed me to get a decent standing photo. You can see his tail moving in excitement here:

It's been pretty cold in these parts lately. There is a lot of salt on the streets now, so I use Invisible Boots on the pads of his paws to protect them and keep them moisturized. I picked it up from Wag in the Glebe for $8.99, and I've seen it at Bark & Fitz in Westboro. This works until about -20. When the temperature gets this low we can only go a few steps before a paw is lifted and a pair of big brown eyes looks up at me. So the actual boots go on. Dog boots are a pain in the butt. First, you have to put 4 of them on, getting around two dew claws, making sure that they're pulled on high enough, and you tighten the velcro enough to reduce the chances of them falling off while walking. They're going to fall off.

Next, if you live in a place with stairs, as I do, you have to carry your dog down the stairs, because their coordination with boots on isn't very good. Maybe it will get better, but Oslo's isn't there yet. Outside, you get to keep an eye out for lost boots, they'll come off at random. Don't try and put it back on, it's hopeless.

On the plus side, it's highly entertaining listening and watching the dog walk with boots on, it sounds kind of like if people were walking in flippers. Oslo is definitely comfortable in them, and can be seen frolicking down the sidewalk in his blue and green gore-tex boots.

When you get home, you'll realize that dog boots collect frozen slush, just like your boots do. You don't want to track this salty mess inside and step in it with your dry socks, so you'll leave his boots on the mat outside the door with your own: