Kansas Shelter Dogs Enjoy Playing Outside During a Special 'Snow Day'
I love celebrating each time of year by embracing seasonal activities and foods, but I've never had a true winter while living on the West Coast. Most mornings are cold and occasionally frosty, but I've never been able to wake up to a snow-covered ground. I know it's not all fun and games when it comes time to actually leave the house in the snow, but that doesn't mean it's all bad. In fact, plenty of folks find the snow to be fun and even a little magical.
I think these shelter dogs would agree! When the Kansas Humane Society had to close due to snow on January 5, their dedicated staff made the best of the situation. They gave the rescue dogs a fun snow day--and some of them even got to play with a friend! Even if I never had a snow day like this, I'm more than happy to live vicariously through these happy dogs.
Just look at all those wagging tails! Each shelter dog in this video looked even happier than the last, and it was such a gift to see. Thank you to all the thoughtful animal shelter volunteers who made this snow day happen! A lot of work goes into each and every day at a shelter or humane society--inclduing hours of cleaning kennels--and it can be tricky to find the time, staff, and resources to do something fun like this.
Related: Dog's Appreciation Over Freshly-Falling Snow Serves As an Important Reminder
Mental enrichment is so important for dogs, especially shelter dogs who spend most of their time in one place, and it can come in so many forms. Exploring the very same yard in a blanket of snow can be different enough to make a dog's day, and adding some extra human and canine friends to the mix would be a dream come true.
Not All Dogs Love the Snow
As you may have noticed, not all of the @kshumanesociety's dogs participated in the shelter's snow day. That's because not all pups are built for the snow! Small dogs retain less body heat and can be more susceptible to the cold, so they'd need some extra gear, like a sweater for small dogs, before spending more than a minute outside.
Even larger dogs can get cold in the snow, so it's important to monitor the time they spend outside and learn the basics of winter safety for dogs. However, it's a different story if you have a dog who's breed comes from a snowy environment--like a Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute. These dogs have thick, water-resistant double coats and won't mind the winter weather in the slightest.
As you can see, these playful shelter dogs enjoyed the light dusting of snow just as much as they enjoyed playtime with friends. This fun little outing truly made their day!
