This week I found fall arrived with a bang – rain, cold, blowing wind. I stumbled out to the living room after being tucked in to a nice warm bed with the dogs surrounding me. As soon as I hit the living room, I was cold. It occurred to me that if I was cold, the dogs in my life might be too. Now you must understand that my dogs are my best friends and a real part of the family. We are close.

It is important to remember that all dogs do not need to add a mad-made coat for warmth; however, many breeds benefit from the additional layer. If you have a short-haired dog such as a Whippet, Greyhound, Chihuahua, one of several hairless breeds such as the Chinese Crested, etc., you know that these canine companions can be affected by climate changes, hot or cold. A good rule of thumb is that if you are cold, your dog may be cold too.

I pulled on a sweatshirt for cozy comfort, but what about the dogs? With a little help, they put on their day coats – made like spring cotton-based windbreaker jackets for people. Coats on, and the dogs uncurled a little and stretched out. They apparently were more comfortable now too.

You do not sew? That is fine. There are so many retailers that can help you. Most rural areas have local farm and feed stores or retail stores designed specifically for the family companion animals. Cities have lots of variety in pet supply stores. By shopping around a bit, you should be able to find a style and weight that is just right for your companion whether you are looking for a very large breed, a very small breed, or anything in between. If you can not find what you are seeking locally, go to the internet. Search for dog coat or cat coat (yes, they have them). You can find what you need.

Now that we are coming in to fall, we need to remember that our dogs have special needs to cope with weather changes just as we do. From my pack to your pack, we wish you a fun-filled fall in which you enjoy the rich colors and cooler days and nights in comfort.