I definitely have to get my Rottie a coat. She -does not- like the cold. or rain. or puddles. or days that aren’t sunny. It’s like we’re the same person.
Unlike my moms Shepherd… who thinks snow and rain puddles are toys and eagerly waits for you to kick snow up in the air so she can try to attack it. *siiiiigh* I love dogs.

I was slightly worried about my one cat who likes to go outside. He just started going outside this summer, so has never really experienced the cold. And he gets reeeeally mad at me if I don’t leave him out at least once a day. But he tried to go outside this morning, and as soon as he got to the door and the cold air hit him in the face, he was just like “the hell is this???” He did not look happy. But he decided to stay inside lol.
I hate seeing dogs kept outside in general, but it’s so much worse in the winter. When I was little, we had an “outside” dog. She only came in the house a couple times a month. Well one year, we didn’t know she had had puppies. So little 7 year old me went to take her food and water, only to find a litter of dead frozen puppies in her dog house. I cried for like two days. It was traumatizing.
Now, anytime I see a dog chained outside in the winter, if it looks like they’re kept outside all the time (you can tell if they are) I -always- call the human society. I don’t care if it is an inconvenience to the owners or the humane society, but that dog deserves to be checked on. I can’t stand the thought of them being kept outside in the cold. Dogs belong inside, on the couch, under the blanket, right next to you *nod*

Thank you so much for this article, because it has lots of important information. I shared it on Facebook, because I thought it is important people see it.

I remember a few years ago when I lived in another place that this stupid lady used to keep a PUG outside in the weather for hours at a time. I reported her to animal control, but unfortunately there is no law here that states the animal needs to be inside. Stupid PA laws.

I also know of someone who keeps their dogs outside 24/7, and I really hate it. I remember being afraid of their dogs as a child, but I haven’t been there in a very long time. People suck.

Our dog has been barely spending any time outside, even though this is definitely not nearly as bad as the winter is going to get. We got her lots of coats to keep her warm, since she’s a chi/pug mix.

http://www.cafepress.com/dunkiesanddimeys

I am going to call this week. The only reason I support the invisible fence in this scenario is because the only other option she uses is chaining them, or letting them run loose, which is definitely not safe on my street. Thank you for the information! I appreciate it.

She is very rude and disrespectful to us when we do. She allows her dogs to roam free (we live on a very busy road) and they often come into our yard and urinate/defecate. My father has caught her standing there, watching on several occasions. I’ve showed her how to tighten the shock collars for the invisible fence, but nothing has changed. I’m hoping maybe she’ll allow me to give her dog toys, and when the weather warms up, take him/her on walks.

@dfaye1123 There are some tips here: http://www.peta.org/issues/companion-animals/helping-chained-dogs.aspx
Have you tried speaking/befriending your neighbour?

My neighbor keeps her dogs outside all of the time, she maybe brings them in for 2-6 hours tops a day. They are a small breed, barkers through and through (I blame her though, for being so neglectful) We’ve contacted animal control several times, but nothing has been done. It is disruptive and it hurts my heart to have those poor dogs outside as it gets colder. What more can I do??

If you share your home with a companion animal then check out these tips for keeping them safe over Christmas:

Also check out the Winter Survival Guide:
http://www.bluecross.org.uk/2154-92838/winter-survival-guide-.html