So it was on with the boots again for Jackie and Jillie yesterday, venturing out into the ravine. Without those boots it would not be possible for them to forge on through the icy, snowy trails in the forest. Their paws are just too small to withstand the cold. They'd be fine for awhile until the realization dawned on them that their feet were painfully numb with cold. Then, they typically lift paws, one after another, looking at us quizzically.

We have the option of picking them up, warming their feet as we walk holding them for a short while, placing them back on the icy trail and hoping they'll manage for another bit before we're stopped again. It isn't very practical for any of us. They're there in the woods, after all, to romp about, not be miserable, so boots are the only option.

We've given up on the well-advertised Muttluks, they just don't work well, not with our two. With Button and Riley I had made their boots myself, using leather for the bottoms and sewing 'socks' made of that felt-like fabric that hoodies were made of. They did the trick, but they, like the expensive Muttluks would also fall off in heavy snow conditions. Still, we used them for years. Until finally thinking commercial ones would be better, then discovering that not to be the case at all.

Toward the end of last winter we saw people putting flimsy little rubber booties on their dogs and they swore those were impressively effective. So we discovered for ourselves, by acquiring them for Jackie and Jillie that they were indeed effective and were ourselves impressed. Now, that's what we use and they never fall off, while giving both good traction on ice and protection from cold ice for our little guys' delicate paws.

Off we went yesterday in -7C and windy conditions that seemed just as cold-intrusive as the day before when it was -10C. We were surprised, actually, at the number of other people and their companion dogs that we came across, many new to us, though we're in the forest daily. The dogs have a grand old time racing about after one another after making acquaintance. And we have a good time just watching their energetic joyfulness.

And it was a curious weather day, in fact; occasionally the sun would blaze in a bright, diffused way through the sky laden with snow clouds. And then flurries would erupt. There were times that both the sun and the flurries working their way into brief snow squalls would simultaneously occur, making for quite the show.