Dogs on beaches/dogs in snow

Junebug in her classy, custom camel coat.

Dogs, dogs, dogs. Two dogs in a double-decker stroller, baby-style. A mini version of me (but not nearly as handsome) romping on the beach. A golden retriever. A white shepherd (shudder) leaning out of a convertible. A boy on a scooter holding a dachshund. Many undefinable small yippy dogs. A dog wearing a t-shirt against the sun.

That's all Mom could talk about: all the dogs she saw on the Florida coast, where at least one beach—Canova Beach Park in Brevard County—is designated for dogs.

Meanwhile, did she even notice that I am Co-Dog of the Week at Wellesley Books? Check out this week's newsletter to admire my new friend, Junebug, who was grateful to receive a hand-sewn coat this week. Wrapped in her toasty coat, custom made by her mom, Wellesley Books assistant manager Kym Havens, Junebug looks particularly fetching. And warm. Maybe as warm as Mom while she abandoned me, and dad, in favor of sun—and the company of other dogs.

Flying dog: all paws off the ground

It was Edward Muybridge who, in the 1880s, took the first photographs that demonstrated the science of locomotion. His photographs of a galloping horse proved that horses leave the ground at a particular point in the gait.

Mom is no photographer, but she caught me with all fours off the ground. You can tell because that's two feet of soft snow I'm levitating over, and with good reason. Were I actually touching anything, I'd be sunk in up to my elbows. That would mean disaster: should I get a flake of snow on my body, I might go into cardiac arrest. It's worth it to fly.

Muybridge's photographs inspired the famous scandal at the 1913 Armory show of European and American art in New York, when Marcel Duchamp showed his Nude Descending a Staircase [No. 2]. Viewers compared the painting to saddlebags, a Navajo rug, and a nightmare.

My nightmare would be that this snow won't ever melt. Because you can't go on forever with all of your paws off the ground.

Mall walking for dogs: the next new thing?

In the Land of the Dog and the Home of the Mall,
mall walking should be a canine right.

Around this time of year, I get to wondering just why it is that I moved north. My paws are cold, my ears are cold, I'm a shivering mess.

And that's while I'm snuggled deep into one of the living room chairs.

Last week my bunny brother, Licorice, came inside: too cold for him, so it's way too cold for me.
At first, I enjoyed lazing around. Now, I'm bored. And that's dangerous.

So here's my plan: find a big, big mall somewhere and run wild. Or at least walk wild.

Any good idea requires research. I started at the most obvious point: The Mall of America.
A major plus: it's always 70 degrees inside.
Double plus: each level of the mall is .57 miles.
Minus: the mall only seems to allow dog walking during special events, which seem to be few and far between.
Double minus: it's in Minnesota, which is even colder than here.

If you're unfortunate enough to live in Chicago, you could head to The Shops at North Bridge Mall on Michigan Avenue, which kindly invites dogs to walk inside. It even has a pet comfort station, providing  "tasty treats, fresh water and waste baggies."

Closer to home, you could take a 1.7 mile walk around the Wrentham outlets, but unfortunately, that would be outside, not in.

The Natick Mall would be perfect, but unfortunately does not allow "running, horseplay or disorderly conduct of any nature." That would count me out. Plus, now that Mom has toted up my yearly expenses, she's vowed not to buy me a single thing.

Just wait until the spring thaw. I'll be dragging her to Petco Unleashed every afternoon, where I most certainly am welcome. If it ever does thaw.

Heartwarming dog rescue (another! involving firefighters!)

A grateful Mack thanks his
rescuer. Photo: Robert Kirkham,
Buffalo News

First of all, given the number of dog rescue stories I've heard lately, not the least being that accomplished by our fabulous group of Wellesley firefighters,  a cautious pup would do well to stay in bed. Take me, for example. Mom went on a cleaning binge this weekend and moved my chair. I simply staked out another, after first jumping on and rearranging all of the beds, Goldilocks style.

And now, news of another rescue brings these important reminders. One, never go out before daylight or after dark, or if the sun is shining on a prime sleeping spot. Two, if the temperature is less than 20 degrees, is there any reason to go out at all? I'm kind of like a camel, but in reverse, if you know what I mean.

Here's what happened: a conscientious dog owner is out at 4:30 a.m. walking her German Shepherd (I know, I'm usually averse to this breed, but trust me: it's a good story). She gets caught in a sinkhole and crawls out, and then the dog falls in. Ten feet down.

Here's the question: How brave do you have to be to lower yourself into a sinkhole? And how brave to you have to be to do so with a hundred pounds of terrified German Shepherd at the bottom of said hole?

Plenty, that's all I can say. To learn more about Buffalo, NY firefighter Michael Paveljack's rescue of three-year-old Mack, check out this news story. I'm heading back to bed.

Puppy bowl action: add a pet to your life

Find this beautiful hound, Penny,
at buddydoghs.org

How about Ben? He
could be my twin. Visit
necoonhoundrescue.org

This adorable hound, Poet, also is
at buddydoghs.org

Even though two-thirds of my family is from New Jersey, I won't be focusing on tomorrow's Super Bowl. Instead, I'll tune in for tomorrow's pregame Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet.

Handsome Cote is almost as
handsome as I. Find
out more at 
necoonhoundrescue.org

A bunch of adorable dogs who need homes will be toughing it out on the field, but many who won't make prime time are waiting in shelters, just for you. The game doesn't start until late; head over to a shelter near you and make someone very, very happy.

For more on letting a hound into your life, be sure to check out coonhound companions.com.