Warm wishes -- literally: Take this weather seriously, and don't forget the pets

Bundle up.

With the wind chill at about 3 F, suffice that it is cold outside. We are sure you've taken all the necessary precautions, letting the faucets drip, wrapping the pipes, purchasing eight weeks worth of bread and milk on the off chance it really does snow Wednesday.

Yes, Old Man Winter is here, folks. Today even marks the first two-hour delay for Wayne County Public Schools courtesy of the frosty fingers of the dipping arctic winds.

And while we're sure you remembered to let the faucets drip and warm the car up a few minutes before pulling off, you've dug out your hats, scarves and gloves -- and long johns -- by now.

But what about your pets? Is the doghouse windproof? That coat of fur might be enough to ward off the chills that accompany light winds when the temperatures are in the 40s or even the 30s. But when it is 14 degrees and the wind is gusting up to 23 mph, it is time to bring even the most curmudgeonly, hermit-esque dogs inside, if only into the laundry room.

Sure, some dogs are outside dogs and spend just about their entire lives in the yard, many by choice. But frostbite and hypothermia are real threats with potentially deadly consequences. And short of that, it's just cruel to even think about leaving any animal outside, unprotected from the extreme elements.

Do the right thing.

Published in Editorials on January 1, 2018 8:34 PM