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Christmas-time is now here
The Amen Corner
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The Smithville Christmas Parade heralded in the Christmas season last Saturday. The Parade was fantastic for our small town. There were floats, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, fire engines, firemen marching and several antique cars. Of course, Santa appeared at the end on a fire engine. Lots of candy was thrown to children. We appreciate the Fire Department for sponsoring this event. My nephew Robin Driver loaded up the Driver grandchildren and me, and found a front row parking place for us to view the parade. Also nearby in the crowd was a gentleman with a bulldog dressed in a Santa suit.

 

Little Keira Driver celebrated her fourth birthday on November 30, at the home of her grandparents Charlote and Laird Barnard. Her aunt Tosha surprised Keira with a tray of cupcakes for all to enjoy.

 

Most churches are practicing for their Christmas program to be held later this month. Let us know the date of each. Let the shopping begin.

 

Amen

 

Remember Your Four-Legged Friends
dog in snow

Have you ever wondered how to handle the cold? Have you thought about how animals adapt to the winter months? I had the chance to learn more about how the cold weather affects animals when I interviewed the director of the DeKalb Animal Shelter, McKenna Frazier. Frazier gave me more of an insight into the relationship between animals and the weather. 

As a dog and cat owner, I was curious to know if they change their personalities when the weather changes. The answer that Frazier gave me was very interesting. She stated, “Sometimes, changes in the air pressure leading up to storms or seasonal rotations can affect our pets. They might become more nervous, agitated, or excited. If being kept indoors more than usual, pets might become more bored and restless due to the change in routine.” With that being said, she also explained that “... every dog is an individual and will react differently to changes.” Every dog and cat will react differently to how the weather changes.

There are some dog breeds that are well-suited for the colder temperatures. On the other hand, there are breeds that stay colder in the winter months. Since I wasn’t sure which breeds that would be, I asked Frazier. Her response was, “Any breeds that have short hair, less body fat, and a single coat are more sensitive to the cold. These breeds include, but are not limited to: Pitbulls, all Bulldogs, Boxers, Chihuahuas, Great Danes, Shih Tzus, Greyhounds, Yorkies, and Pugs.”

These breeds, along with the breeds that are usually accustomed to cold weather, have ways that they warm themselves up. I asked Frazier how exactly animals help themselves stay warm during the cold weather. She gave me many different examples of animals and how they are able to adapt to the cold. Her answer was, “Dogs will grow their winter coat, which will be thicker than their regular coat. Certain dog breeds are double-coated, which means they have a second, lighter fur layer that acts as insulation and helps protect them against the cold.

They also might put on a little bit more weight during colder times, because the extra fat acts as insulation for their bodies. You might also notice that your dog likes to curl up tighter than normal when lying down to conserve body heat.” It’s very interesting to know that some breeds have more than one coat. The double-coat is the reason that there are dog breeds that are used to the cold. I was curious to know if there were any specific animals that reside at the shelter that might prefer the colder weather. Frazier replied, “Some of our dogs enjoyed the novelty of playing in the snow. That being said, they were only outside for a very brief time and were happy to come back inside and get warmed up.” It seems like there are a few minutes set aside for the dogs to go outside and play around in the snow.

We have talked about how the animals help themselves stay warm, but we have not talked about how pet owners can keep their pets warm. Frazier gave me advice on how pet owners can make sure their animals are not cold. She mentioned, “The best advice for pet owners to keep their pets warm is to bring them inside. If it’s too cold for you outside, it’s too cold for your pet, especially during below freezing temperatures. Even those dog breeds who are more suited for cold weather benefit from being inside for periods of time. If it’s not possible to bring your pets inside, owners should provide adequate housing for their outdoor pets.” Even if your pet is one of the breeds that adjust to the cold fairly well, it is in their best interests to bring them inside after a little time of them being outside.

Frazier went on to give detailed examples of what owners could do for their outdoor pets. She explained, “TN law requires outdoor pets to have shelter that follows these guidelines:

1.      The structure is waterproof; constructed of steel, aluminum, or other sound and substantial material; is sufficient to protect the dog from inclement weather suitable for the age, breed, and physical condition of the dog; and is ventilated, insulated, and of a size appropriate to allow the dog to maintain normal body temperature;

2.      The structure has dimensions that allow the dog while in the shelter to stand erect, sit, turn around, and lie down in a normal position;

3.      The structure provides a solid surface, resting platform, pad, floormat, or similar device that is large enough for the dog to lie on in a normal manner and can be maintained in a sanitary manner;

4.      The structure prevents pain, suffering, or a significant risk to the dog's health; and

5.      During hot weather, the structure is properly shaded and during cold weather, the structure provides a quantity of bedding material that is sufficient to protect the dog from cold and promote the retention of body heat.’ The best material to use is straw because it repels moisture and acts as insulation. Hay and blankets are not appropriate to use, because they absorb moisture and make the animal even colder.” Having more information on how to support your animal and what materials to use to keep them warm will aid the owners in the future. 

Frazier gave an ample amount of knowledge on a variety of topics that relate to how to deal with the winter months with an animal. If you’re interested in helping out the local shelter during the cold season, donations of bales of straw and unflavored instant oatmeal would be great! According to Frazier, “...straw is a great insulator. The oatmeal is mixed with peanut butter as a warm snack for the dogs on the coldest days.”

The shelter has a wish list on their Facebook page that contains items that they could use throughout the year. As stated by Frazier, Mini Milkbones, Pupperoni treats, Peanut Butter, canned dog food, and Odoban disinfectant are beneficial to the shelter. DeKalb Animal Shelter is grateful for the donations. It is always nice to give back to an establishment that is so helpful to the community.