Typist: Bethany
I love everything about this time of year in Cascadia. The natural light (or lack thereof) in the sky seems magical and I especially appreciate the early sunsets. The skeletons of leafless deciduous trees make more obvious the majesty of the Evergreen State's namesake plants. I love the seasons stormy weather. The wind makes massive white caps on Puget Sound that match the fresh snow on the Olympic Mountains. The clouds blow past and make more breathtaking light or dump copious amounts of rain. I even love the rain. Seriously. Everything feels so clean and fresh when showered and blown off by nature's fall festivals. All of these late autumn spectacles are made even more stunning by people's festive holiday decorations. Nothing can keep me inside! Wind, rain, sleet or snow, day or night, I am out with fit dogs Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley seeking fun holiday displays to admire.
I love everything about this time of year in Cascadia. The natural light (or lack thereof) in the sky seems magical and I especially appreciate the early sunsets. The skeletons of leafless deciduous trees make more obvious the majesty of the Evergreen State's namesake plants. I love the seasons stormy weather. The wind makes massive white caps on Puget Sound that match the fresh snow on the Olympic Mountains. The clouds blow past and make more breathtaking light or dump copious amounts of rain. I even love the rain. Seriously. Everything feels so clean and fresh when showered and blown off by nature's fall festivals. All of these late autumn spectacles are made even more stunning by people's festive holiday decorations. Nothing can keep me inside! Wind, rain, sleet or snow, day or night, I am out with fit dogs Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley seeking fun holiday displays to admire.
I was saddened earlier this week when I read an article about holiday activities to do with dogs that suggested drive through holiday light displays. Road trips are, of course, one of my very favorite things to do ever but why waste time sitting idly in the car to admire holiday decorations when there could instead be much needed fit dog time? I have many, many holiday traditions that I share with my dogs but the one's that involve exercise are all of our favorites. So since the dogs and I spend countless fit dog hours wandering our city from late November to early January seeking fabulous holiday decorations, I thought perhaps we could inspire others to get out and do some holiday walking. Here are season display seeking tips to help get out for fit dog time and enjoy the seasons spectacles despite the weather:
You Would Even Say It Glows
When going out seeking holiday light displays, be sure to bring plenty of light. I am always sorry when I forget to put clip on collar lights on the dogs. Particularly if we happen upon a popular, crowded holiday display, the dogs are much safer when well lit. It is especially inconvenient when I forget a flashlight or headlamp and have to clean up dog poop by iPhone flash. In an effort to never forget light essentials, I keep the clip on collar lights and a flashlight with the leashes and poop bags. Speaking of poop bags...
He Only Paused A Moment When He Heard Him Holler "STOP"
The weather is awful. It is dark. The walk is going to be short. But none of these things excuses not being prepared for the possibility of dog poop happening. Absolutely nothing spoils a lovely holiday display more than a left behind pile of dog poop. So remember poop bags and never, ever. ever fail to stop, stoop and scoop!
City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks, Dressed In Holiday Cheer
There are also a lot of dangerous chemicals on the decorated roads and sidewalks for holiday fit dog walking. I prepare the dogs for inevitable tracking through dangerous deicing pellets by putting a paw balm on them before we leave the house.
Don We Now Our Gay Apparel
If it is forty degrees Fahrenheit or below, Wilhelm has to wear a coat. He hates it but it keeps him happily trotting along on holiday decoration seeking outings. Since we never know what weather might blow through, Jason and I always prepare for cold and possible precipitation. Although it is very un-Seattle but I have even been known to carry an umbrella.
The World Is Your Snowball, See How It Grows
Not only is it wise to be prepared for anything while out for fit dog decoration seeking but it is also best to have the house prepared for when you return. If it is cold out, I set the thermostat to heat up the house a bit more around the time I expect the dogs and I will return home. If there is even a slight chance of rain or the ground is wet, I place a stack of rags just at the inside of the door so I am set up to dry wet, muddy dogs. I also get the bathroom ready to have a paw rinsing session if we happen to walk through a lot of dangerous winter street chemicals.
When going out seeking holiday light displays, be sure to bring plenty of light. I am always sorry when I forget to put clip on collar lights on the dogs. Particularly if we happen upon a popular, crowded holiday display, the dogs are much safer when well lit. It is especially inconvenient when I forget a flashlight or headlamp and have to clean up dog poop by iPhone flash. In an effort to never forget light essentials, I keep the clip on collar lights and a flashlight with the leashes and poop bags. Speaking of poop bags...
He Only Paused A Moment When He Heard Him Holler "STOP"
The weather is awful. It is dark. The walk is going to be short. But none of these things excuses not being prepared for the possibility of dog poop happening. Absolutely nothing spoils a lovely holiday display more than a left behind pile of dog poop. So remember poop bags and never, ever. ever fail to stop, stoop and scoop!
City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks, Dressed In Holiday Cheer
There are also a lot of dangerous chemicals on the decorated roads and sidewalks for holiday fit dog walking. I prepare the dogs for inevitable tracking through dangerous deicing pellets by putting a paw balm on them before we leave the house.
Don We Now Our Gay Apparel
If it is forty degrees Fahrenheit or below, Wilhelm has to wear a coat. He hates it but it keeps him happily trotting along on holiday decoration seeking outings. Since we never know what weather might blow through, Jason and I always prepare for cold and possible precipitation. Although it is very un-Seattle but I have even been known to carry an umbrella.
The World Is Your Snowball, See How It Grows
Not only is it wise to be prepared for anything while out for fit dog decoration seeking but it is also best to have the house prepared for when you return. If it is cold out, I set the thermostat to heat up the house a bit more around the time I expect the dogs and I will return home. If there is even a slight chance of rain or the ground is wet, I place a stack of rags just at the inside of the door so I am set up to dry wet, muddy dogs. I also get the bathroom ready to have a paw rinsing session if we happen to walk through a lot of dangerous winter street chemicals.
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Sometimes I plan fit dog holiday decoration outings for specific neighborhood displays. Other times I make a sort of treasure hunt out of our decoration seeking walk (like the day we sought out as many Bumble's as possible, pictured above.) Most of the time, the dogs, Jason and I just weave through the streets searching for hidden gem holiday decoration wonderlands. The dogs not only get much needed exercise but they get to sniff out strange new streets as well as enjoy mental stimulation while posing for photos. Even if I didn't like the weather, how could I deny my dogs much needed exercise and bonding time? Fit dog time should be a year round tradition and holiday decoration display adventures are just one more way to keep our healthy pet commitment going year round. No matter what the weather is like or what kinds of holiday decorations we find, fit dogs are beautiful.
What fit dog holiday traditions do you have? Do you enjoy dog friendly holiday lighting and decoration walks?
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