Walking Like a Duck

With the recent snow, folks and the city put out salt to help with the icing.  Salt and dog paws don't go well together, though that combo has never really bothered Stirling. 

Bartleby is another matter.  During our past two walks after the snow, Bartleby either stopped walking to lick at his paws or hold them up.  Or, he simply gave up walking, rolled on his back, holding his paws in the air.  Both actions came with pathetic looks to me and lots of whining.  Bartleby's mom gave us these rubber booties to put on Bartleby for just those reasons: he does not do well in the salty snow. For today's walk, I put them on him.  They are called Pawz and are made of a natural rubber, making them a disposal, waterproof dog boot.  His are bright blue and really look like a un-inflated balloon. 

The packaging includes endorsements from Butterfly, a Lhasa Apso in Philly; Dottie, a Dalmatian in Bozeman; and Spunky, a cocker spaniel in Toronto.  The dogs say how comfortable they are or how quickly they go on or how they stay on when romping. 

What they don't say is how when the dog has them on, they will sound like a duck when walking. The rubber hitting the pavement sounds like a duck's waddle.  Here, listen:

I couldn't stop giggling as Bartleby trotted past me or Stirling--the slapping of the rubber bootie is just too much!  It also was funny watching him try to stop when running in the snow.  He skidded to a stop or to change directions, rather than stopping on a dime.  Quite amusing, as he was able to turn around faster than Stirling. 

I will say that I didn't have to pick up Bartleby to carry him, as I had on the previous night's walk, so at least that is one thing these boots have going for them.  The other is the huge amusement factor for the human, much to the sacrifice of the dog's self image.