Welcome to Dogster’s Wednesday Dog! Every Wednesday we’ll be sharing a story from one of our Dog Stars. This week we’re all about Megan and her dynamic dachshund duo, Draper and Lou.
Winter in Canada is a beautiful season, with snow-covered landscapes, hot, delicious drinks, and the comfort of spending time indoors, but whether snow is a gift from heaven or a frosty curse? is subject to endless debate. In our household, this seasonal argument is personified (or turned into a puppy) Perfectly completed by our dogs, Draper and Lou. These two pups, like everything else, couldn’t be more different in their opinions about winter. Draper’s tiny legs could barely get over the stairs, but now he’s faced with a mountain of snow the size of Mount Everest. His long, low body is a design flaw for frosty terrain. But the adventurous Lou shows no flaws in his design, acting as if his low center of gravity allows him to run across icy, slippery backyards without losing his balance. And so our cold journey begins!
Lou: Snow Queen
Let’s start with Lou, a petite girl who loves all things cold and fluffy. Streets love winter with the unbridled joy that is usually given only to children on Christmas morning. Despite her slender build and lack of insulation, Lou is more like a sleek greyhound than a sturdy sausage, diving into the snow as if it were her personal playground. cold? How cold is that? Lou finally noticed. She treats subzero temperatures like an invitation to frolic.
My husband is always fascinated by Roo’s antics because he loves snow and goes out into the garden with a shovel every time it snows. He carves winding paths through the snowdrifts, creating a maze the size of a dachshund that Lou treats like a racetrack. She runs down the path and jumps over the edges like a little deer, her long ears flapping with each leap of joy. Occasionally, she will stop, bury her head deep in the snow, and emerge with her frosty nose sticking out. Lou has boundless energy and is willing to go out multiple times each day, no matter how cold it gets.
Draper: King of the Sofa
Then there’s Draper, Lou’s opposite (just kidding). Draper and Winter have a very different relationship. While Lou sees the adventure, Draper feels the inconvenience. While Lou feels elated, Draper feels personally attacked. When outside temperatures drop below -10°C (14°F), Draper’s enthusiasm for the outdoors shrinks to the size of his feet. He reluctantly follows Lou out into the garden and continues along the carefully laid path for one reason only: a mandatory bathroom break. If that’s the case then it’s negotiable too much It’s cold (yes, Draper Co. has had its fair share of winter “accidents” over the years).
Draper’s refusal to cooperate in the freezing cold is both pitiful and comical. At first it starts walking bravely, but after a few steps it slows down, lifts its front legs higher and higher, and then stops. There he stands, dog-like, staring back at us with an expression that clearly says, “Help me, Mom!” This usually results in a rescue mission where one of us goes outside in socks and sandals, scoops him up and brings him back inside where he believes he is royalty.
When a Draper tries to deviate from its carefully groomed path, snowballs often get stuck to the fur on its chest and abdomen. This is an unfortunate side effect of having a low underside and long luscious hair. This frosty predicament usually leads to another one of Draper’s least favorite activities: taking a bath. This is the quickest way to melt a stubborn snowball, but Draper treats it as another winter cheat.
Draper’s winter philosophy
In Draper’s opinion, the bear is right. If it were up to him, winter would be a period of hibernation. He’ll set his status to “absent” from mid-November to early April, and in the spring he’ll wake up feeling refreshed and ready for some sunshine. But Draper is no bear, so he uses the cold weather as an excuse to transform into a professional napper. While Lou runs through the snow, Draper is curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket like a cinnamon bun with legs. His winter hobbies are sleeping, snoozing, and occasionally taking naps. The only thing Draper likes more than a warm bed is the sound of the cheese drawer opening or kibble being poured into the dog’s dish.
The big controversy about jackets
We’ve invested in winter jackets, sweaters, and boots to help our baby cope with the cold. Surprisingly, Draper doesn’t mind the extra equipment. In fact, he seemed to appreciate the added insulation, and after rolling over to let us dress him, he happily ran around in his winter ensemble. The boots in particular have made a huge difference for his sensitive feet. Once you learn how to walk in boots, of course. Thanks to them, he can withstand short adventures into the freezing outdoors without freezing completely.
However, Lou considers the dog’s clothes a stain on his self-esteem. The moment we try to put a jacket on her, her bright personality becomes clouded. She gives us the most dramatic puppy eyes imaginable, and then retreats morosely to bed. If we persist and try to add boots, she often runs off to bed and tries to hide behind a pile of cushions. As a result, even Roo’s snow-loving spirit only saves Roo’s winter gear for when it needs a little more protection.
harmony of opposites
Despite attitudes to the contrary, Draper and Lou’s winter antics bring a lot of fun to our family. It’s a daily highlight for Draper to look out the window and watch Lou run through the snow. Lou’s energy often tempts Draper to step outside for a few minutes, and Draper’s cozy nap spot often tempts Lou to cuddle with him.
The contrasting approaches to winter also serve as a reminder of the beauty of balance. Draper teaches us the importance of slowing down and enjoying the warmth and comfort of home during the colder months. Lou, on the other hand, inspires us to joyfully embrace the seasons and find joy in simple pleasures like making snow angels or taking a breezy winter walk. Together, they embody the yin and yang of a dachshund’s life. Part lazy extravagance, part unstoppable enthusiasm.
This article features Megan, Draper, and Lou from the Wednesday Dogs series.
