Really, you got me THIS for Christmas??

Well, when I got home from vacation I had a late Christmas gift! It was this...a JACKET! Really Mom, another jacket?? I already have one that I run from every time you bring it out! Mom did not let my "enthusiasm" deter her. Her excitement was too great, so I reluctantly let her put it on me and to my surprise it was MUCH more comfortable than my last jacket. Not that I was happy about this though!!

Mom says it is from this Canadian company called Chilly Dogs, and they had a Ridgeback on their site just like me. She said their jackets are designed for long, lean, and deep chested doggies like myself, so she thought it would be a better fit. If you notice, it goes over my head and then the bottom part that is adjustable goes below my chest and then fastens around my back. Plus, it is longer than most jackets to keep my tail feathers warm. ;) I am still not sure about all of this. Well, Mom was sooo excited she had me wear it out with my pal, Ozzie. I tried to interject and tell her what an embarrassment it would be but she insisted!


And not only do jackets give your furiends something to grab on to, but the red color also brings out their vampire side! YIKES! Did Edward get to you Ozzie? Mom, HELP! I told you this was a BAD idea!!

Well, Mom learned her lesson but not on this trip. Just this week, she took me out in my jacket with my furiend, Sierra, and this time she even put 4 new boots on my paws...how degrading!! The reason she got the boots is because every time I go out in the crunchy snow, my princess paws get cut up and bleed. I told her I was a tough princess but she didn't believe me. Unfortunately, our snow has been kind of crunchy because of the weather so when I have returned from play dates I have had bloody paws. :( Anyway, Mom figured the boots and jacket would be ok because Sierra usually does her own thing. Boy was she wrong! First of all, she decided that the boots, which are super cool, (although she doesn't think they were designed with snow in mind) are not good for playing with other doggies because the excitement levels are too high and I get a little too silly. They get snow stuck in the tops and then I lick the tops because my legs get too cold. Plus, when I am running around and playing they fly off if they are not readjusted and tightened as I am moving around. The snow probably doesn't help with this as it helps pull them off when I remove my paws from it's grasp. Also, even my furiend, Sierra, starting charging me with my jacket on. I think she was out for blood too...maybe Ozzie got to her...I don't know? I do know that next time I am with my furiends I am going au natural and maybe I can avoid their vampirish ways. Mom is in agreement but she says that the jacket and boots WILL be good for when I am out for a walk with just her and Dad. Maybe, but I am NOT a believer yet!



Update: Amber here, just got back from a play date and Nala's paws got chewed up by the snow. UGH! I am very frustrated. Maybe despite the challenges of the boots they will at least keep her feet from getting so chewed up. The jacket for sure is not for play dates (I knew that but thought for walks it may be ok) or even just walks with friends but now I am thinking she HAS to wear the boots regardless.


The arrows indicate blood. She left bloody marks all over the snow out there.

All four paws looked similar to this. :( Has anyone else had this problem with their dog before? Is it because of the short hair? I can't NOT take her out to play but I also don't want her paws to look like this every time either. I guess we will go with just boots from now on. I can't wait for the snow to be gone! Or at least melt and snow some nice fluffy snow that doesn't cut paws!! Right now, Nala is sweetly curled up on her blankie licking her injured paws. I washed them off for her with some warm water and gave her some warm broth to drink.