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Loving the Snow

How One Dachshund Named Zack Thinks Snow Is a Treat!

By Karen HojnackiPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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Zack with snow on his snout :)

My three year old dachshund, Zack, loves the snow! This wasn't always the case when he was younger. Early on he'd hop around getting used to the cold but soon figured out that he loved the taste and the cold on his tongue. He even likes ice cubes from the freezer! As much as he loves the snow, he hates the rain. The first time he was out and about and the snow turned to rain, he looked pissed! How dare his precious snow turn to rain! I couldn't put the umbrella up fast enough! Anyway, getting back to the snow, he'll try to eat the snow and even make a path from our front walk to the grass and sidewalk beyond. He'll push the snow around with his snout in a zig zag pattern wandering from place to place. He even tries to eat the snow as it's falling! Just like a kid trying to catch a snowflake on his tongue. My family laughs every time he ends up with snow on his snout. I'd say he almost loves winter more than any other season just because of the snow. And if there's a "big snow" he seems extra excited to get outside.

Zack's exuberance for the snow lasts all winter long. No matter how cold his humans get, he wants those walks in the snow. We sometimes try to hurry him as we don't have his long silky fur to keep us warm. But his happy demeanor and spirited personality overcome our shivers and we oblige him. "O.K., I'll mutter. A few minutes more. But not too long, it's getting cold, Zack." And so it goes. Our winter routine of walks in the snow; Zack eating as much as he can, and us going inside for a warm treat after drying off. I guess we are never moving to Florida.

Just the other day we had a mix of snow and ice. Zack didn't walk as well on all that ice and went slip, sliding away. He did NOT like it when his chin hit the sidewalk and made a sort of weird "grupmf" sound that was supposed to be a bark. There was his lovely snow mixed with this slippery stuff and he didn't know what to do. I gently picked him up and brushed some of the ice away and placed him in a snowy part of the grass. And sure enough, he was back to eating snow again. He almost seemed to smile after his first taste and wanted to go in search of more. As it was getting colder, I encouraged him to, "Finish up and let's get back inside," I said. I just got that determined look that doxies have which told me I'd have a struggle on my hands if I didn't give him at least a few more minutes. Doxies are known to be stubborn, but he was also loving and loyal and felt the need to protect me from all the other dogs, neighbors, and cats in the neighborhood. Even if the cold kept many of them inside most of the time. I bet my neighbors are thinking, "There's Zack again...outside..... eating all the snow."

I wonder if in the next snow storm I can teach him how to make a path in the snow? He could be our new snow plow. It beats shoveling.

Why do some dogs love the snow so much and others hate it? It seems like Zack gets energized and wants to play. Could there be something to the colder temperatures that he likes that I don't understand? I decided to research it or at least Google it and find out. Some dogs do play more and there is a theory that perhaps it's because they don't get over heated according to an article by Wisconsin Pet Care. Another theory is that dogs view snow as just another toy to play with. Could Zack be doing a little of both? He does try to catch and eat snowballs that my daughter loving lobs near him. Is it also another form of entertainment like when a child gets a new present for her birthday? Zack also rolls around in it and dives through it if it's deep enough. I bet he does see it as a novelty since we get about 1-2 good snowstorms most winters.

Armed with this new information, I'm hoping to tolerate the snow and cold temperatures a little more. At least for Zack's sake. If it gives him joy, it's the least I could do to walk around a little longer. He's not complaining so why should I? Zack's time on this earth will likely be shorter than mine. As much as I don't want to think about that, it's a reality. I want to give him as many happy moments as I can. Life is short. Zack is more than a pet, he's family. He gives us so much love. With this in mind, "Happy Snow Day! Let's go for a walk!"

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