Ice Fur

Ice Fur
Ice Fur
How do you get around the pitfalls of having a small dog in a snowy city?

My Pom is cream colored and small.

I live in Denver, where it's been snowy and/or cold for 6 weeks (the first storm was the day after we got the dog, actually.) So there are certain spots where there is still a couple feet of snow, and other spots where the ground is covered in sheer ice.

My first concern is the dog getting too cold, as he's so small. How cold is too cold for a Pomeranian? Or any dog?

My second concern is the 12 inch deep puddles and thick grimy areas of melting snow at every crosswalk.

We live in the city, so there's a crosswalk, you know, every block.

The grimy puddles get his pretty cream fur matted and turn it black.

Would you walk your dog at all? (He's so much happier when we do.)

I am new to having a dog in a city, and new to small dogs in general, so I'm sure there is a solution to this problelm that I haven't thought of yet.
Okay, not mud puddles - more like grimy slush

That's funny, I live in Colorado Springs!

--First, get the pup a sweater. If it fits right you'll just have to wash up the dog's legs and half the tummy after the walk. Make sure you do a quick brush up after each walk to keep the mats down. As you know, Poms need a GOOD brushing everyday, be sure to brush right up from the skin, otherwise Pom Pup get close to the source mats.
--Second, yes, walk that puppy! You wear a dirty coat because you WILL be picking up the little darling everytime you come to a mud puddle. It's one of those facts of life, dogs, puddles, and dirt. Thank goodness you don't have a Lab!
Try to pick the longest blocks. Or take the your walks in the parks where you may not encounter those muddy curbs.
Are you right in Denver proper or in one of the subs? (My brother lives in Littleton)

Get a pair of studded overshoes for yourself, you'll need them for the snowpack and black ice on the sidewalks (that'll keep you from using the well worn slushy/dirty places). I studded my own shoes with machinist screws, it REALLY helps!

BTW, YOU have mud puddles? We haven't seen enough warm days to melt beyond icy slush.