CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE!
Surviving Mud Season
Mud season is the transition time that starts at the end of winter and continues through the beginning of each spring season. In New England, mud season is sometimes thought as an additional season. Since the weather changes often, snow and ice will melt throughout the day and freeze again at night. During this period, the frozen ground slowly begins to thaw as the fluctuating temperatures gradually change over to warmer conditions. What would have been days of snow now become days of rain. Winter is over but spring has not yet begun. Because the earth is still frozen just below its surface, it cannot fully absorb all the excessive water so the ground becomes saturated, making for very messy, muddy conditions. Puddles and pools of water seem to be everywhere. Getting around can be difficult sometimes. Mud season is truly an experience of its own but instead of being inconvenienced by it, embrace it.
Become an extreme outdoor adventurist. Put on those waterproof shoes and rain boots. Wear gaiters for extra protection. Layer up your clothing before heading outside. Hike, bike and explore. Discover new and exciting things to see and do. Bring your canine companion with you.
Dress your dog with a properly fitted harness, use a durable leash, invest in a quality set of waterproof booties and a raincoat. Now that the weather is finally warming up a bit, it is a great time to start taking longer walks with your dog throughout your neighborhood, at a nearby park, along the beach or on a hiking trail at a state forest.
The Clean-Up
Before heading out, take the necessary preparations to make the cleanup process easier. At home, set up an area of the house near the door where you can store towels, spray bottles and even a dishpan full of water for accessible cleaning. Place a rubber or washable mat on the floor for dirty wet paws.
If traveling to your destination by car, be sure to fit your car out properly by putting on protective seat covers or lay down blankets in the car where your dog will be sitting. If your dog uses a crate, be sure the crate has a waterproof pad or blanket inside. Always travel with a doggy first aid kit.
After the walk or hike, wipe your dog down with towels. A microfiber towel works well.
Pay close attention to your dog's legs, belly and tail. Inspect your dog's paws for any abrasions and proceed to clean the debris from in between the toes and under the nails. It's best to do these things before your dog gets into the car.
When you get back home you can clean your pup up more thoroughly. Depending on how dirty your dog has become, you can either quickly rinse your pup off with warm water while paying special attention to the tail and where your dog's legs and belly meet.
Gently clean in and around your dog's ears with a damp cloth. If your dog is really dirty or stinky, a quick bath may be necessary and unavoidable. Be sure to thoroughly dry your dog afterwards with clean, dry towels. If your dog doesn't mind, carefully use a handheld blow dryer from a distance on a low heat setting to speed up the drying process.
Mud season can be an enjoyable time of the year for you and your dog. Surviving mud season is easy once you plan ahead and prep things in advance.