keeping old dogs warm

**joycenalex** · 12-05-2002, 06:54 AM

duke, the senior golden i got in the spring, loves going for walkies, but he doesn't enjoy the cold and snow as much as alex the wonder dog does. i measured duke from paw to paw over his back and will be going to goodwill to get a small boys sweatshirt, which i will modify it into a 'jacket' to help with the chilly arthritic elbows. in the house, he's not very interested in the more expensive dog beds

but will lie on a pile of blankets,which he paws into his desired shape. before i go to bed, i've taken to draping a bath towel over him, like a blanket. if anyone has more advice(outside of moving south) i'd appreciate it. p.s. the kits LOVE the dog beds

**anna_66** · 12-05-2002, 07:20 AM

I have a senior rottweiler (he's 11). I've noticed this year he's been expecially cold, to the point he shivers

We bought him a heated dog bed, not a really big nice one or anything, this one, we just laid over his old bed.
Here's a pic of it:

We've also covered him before, but now with the bed, it seems like he is most comfortabe

Here's one before we got his bed:

And one after we got it:

I think he was so comfortable he drooled all over

I don't know if Angus would wear any sweaters or anything, I've never tried, but it's a thought!

Hope you can keep your boy warm this year!

**Dakota's Mommy** · 12-05-2002, 01:29 PM

Love the pics Anna

**lizbud** · 12-05-2002, 02:12 PM

joycenalex,

I don't have any other ideas, but using a fleese-lined
sweatshirt (cut to fit) sounds very cozy, Hope it helps Duke.

Anna_66,

Angus looks like he enjoys his heated bed very much.He looks
very content.

Bless his little heart.

**anna_66** · 12-05-2002, 02:13 PM

Ya, he seems to really enjoy it

The best $90 I've ever spent!

**Pam** · 12-05-2002, 02:19 PM

What a great idea to get a human sweatshirt and then cut it down! At the prices that are charged for speciality pet items like this, that is just terrific! Thanks for passing that tip on.

Anna I said this before and I will say it again - Angus is just sooooo precious! He looks like a bug in a rug in his bed, all covered up like he is in a cocoon! Angus, stay warm sweetie!

**joycenalex** · 12-05-2002, 08:36 PM

after searching thru the pet talk archieves (thanks fred!), i found the site for jeffers.com heated dog beds. duke has been known to 'nibble'

eletric cords, i don't know as i'd trust him with one near. has any tried the microwave heated one?
angus does look very cozy in the wrapped photo

**Nomilynn** · 12-05-2002, 11:42 PM

Oooh the drool!! That's funny

**MHMama** · 12-06-2002, 07:26 AM

The sweatshirt sounds like a good idea. I go to the thrift store and get baby blankets and tiny baby shirts for Ricky & Lucy Tu. Lucy Tu had a fantastic jacket (see below) but outgrew it. Both of them like to sleep under the covers so that helps. When they get really cold and are shivering like crazy, I put their baby blankets in the dryer for a quick warm up and then cover them up with them. They love that. Lucy Tu likes to go in the pocket of my robe while I am wearing it (see below) Our daughter bought both of them a Harley Davidson leather jacket but I prefer to put something soft on them. Even though we live in Florida, Chi's are almost always cold.