Rain!

People often tell me how lucky I am to have a job that lets me be outside all day, rather than sitting at a desk. They usually say this when it's sunny and warm, and I always agree that my outdoor job is pretty great.

Then there are days when I wake up and it's like this:

Rainy days present special challenges for a dog walker. 

Some dogs don't mind rain, and others hate it. I always say that it's not my job to make dogs miserable, so if I know the dog I'm going to walk is going to brace at the front door and refuse to go outside in the rain, I'll try to find a way to compromise. I'll take them out long enough to take care of their bathroom business and then they can go back inside. After a quick toweling off, we play fetch in the house or work on obedience skills for the rest of their scheduled time. I keep a stack of towels in my car to dry off dogs (and myself!), to keep muddy pawprints and indoor shake-offs to a minimum.

Keeping myself dry is another challenge. I have a collection of rain gear that can see me through almost anything from gentle shower to microburst. Most rainy days can be managed by putting on my waxed canvas jacket and tucking my jeans into my rainboots, but if it's really coming down, I put on my oilcloth slicker and rain pants to keep me dry as long as possible. 

Coming home for lunch and putting my wet gear in the dryer makes afternoon client visits more comfortable.  I keep a few extra clothes in my car so I can make a quick change if things get soaked: an extra rain hat, spare umbrella, a wool sweater (wool keeps you warm even when it's wet, so that's a plus!), a second pair of boots and dry socks. (A leaky boot and wet socks is a sure way to ruin my day.) A thermos of hot tea and a good attitude are the final elements to surviving a day of walking dogs in the rain -- and the thought of a good hot meal when I get home.

Clients will sometimes cancel if the weather is really nasty, and I appreciate that if driving safety is a concern. But just regular rain? I can walk in that all day. 

Oh, this makes me think of raincoats for dogs! I like them, and most dogs seem to as well, once they get used to wearing one. I like the kind that have reflective strips on them, and a warm lining. They do need to be re-waterproofed now and then. There are many different styles, even ones that cover the legs. I will mention that most dogs hate having a hood over or around their heads. Try a few to find one that your dog is comfortable in and that is easy to put on and take off-- it's no fun struggling to undo a soggy raincoat from a wriggling dog.

Look at how stylish this little fella is! And that belly band will keep his tummy warm and dry, too.

Boots for dogs are another matter. Sometimes there's a good reason for them like keeping a bandage or injury dry, concerns about chemical/fuel residue in the city, or hiking miles of rough terrain. But mostly it seems people just think they're cute. I guess you can spend your money on whatever you like, but dogs have been walking in the rain for centuries without boots and have managed just fine, and most dogs find having their paws covered a little strange.

"I'm gonna lose one at the coffee shop, one at the park, and chew another off once we get home."

I hope you're keeping dry during this rainy season. Just think, in a few months we can start complaining about the heat instead. Thanks for reading! See you next time.