I became the person that I never thought I would be – the person who buys clothes for their dogs. I used to look at dogs in coats and jumpers and think “what a waste of money” and “how ridiculous does that poor dog look”. Then I got greyhounds…
I realised pretty quickly that coats and jumpers aren’t a fashion statement but more of a necessity than I could have possibly imagined. I used to genuinely think this was being exaggerated but having been woken at 4am with barking because Bea-girl was cold, I am firmly committed to whatever keeps the dogs warm and comfortable.
I’m an obsessive Google-r, who enjoys truffling in the forest of knowledge. I have spent literally hours searching for ideal house and room temperatures, temperatures in which coats or fleeces or jumpers or pyjamas are optimal. I have asked people who work with and have greyhounds and I give in in looking for the definitive answer.
Dogs, like people, are variable. The guidance of “if you need a coat, they need a coat” frankly wouldn’t work in our house. My husband is still generally wearing shorts and t shirt in November, I’m wearing a coat and jeans in July – the dogs would either freeze or boil if left to us to in that way!
So I’m working on learning their cues as to their behaviours when they are cold indoors (are they curling up, snuggling into a blanket, are their ears cold, are they cold to touch) and have a variety of options available to deal with this – from cuddles under a blanket on the sofa, to jumpers and pyjamas. Bea adores being cuddled in under a blanket, Sam is as likely as not to kick any blanket off and resume sleeping as he was!
Things that aren’t helping are the inability to use a thermostat effectively in this house, despite the Nest installation! The corner with the overnight beds now has its own thermometer and my office Dyson heater has now been sacrificed to make sure that stays warm.
There has also been (much to my husbands despair) the purchasing of so many garments for the woofers to wear – and I’m having fun with it! They have matching tartan fleece pyjamas, button up jumpers, fleeces and waterproof fleece lined coats. I had no concept that the market for these things was so vast, I could browse and compare materials and colours for hours, with questions like “will that look good with their fur” and “is it better if they match”.
I assumed they wouldn’t enjoy being dressed but they are so used to being handled and wearing garments from their racing days, they are quite content to have a jumper or coat put on them, especially if they know they will be warm and dry. Both now come running when their outdoor coats come out for a walk… I just wish they had the same enthusiasm for pyjamas!