Cold Night, Crackling Fire, and Grandma's Biggest Blanket. Pip Found the Best Spot.
Logs crackle and glow in the stone hearth, throwing orange light across the room, and Odessa has bundled herself into a thick cream blanket knit in big, nubby loops. Only her face and a bit of her green cardigan peek out from the wrap. Pip has found the warmest spot of all: stretched across her lap on top of the blanket, front paws crossed, gazing calmly toward the room while she smiles down at him. A mug and a pair of glasses rest on the mantel, a plant sits by the window, and a box of tissues waits on the side table for the winter sniffles.
A fire makes a room wonderfully cozy, and a few precautions keep it safe with pets around. A sturdy screen or glass door helps stop sparks and keeps curious noses and tails away from the flames. Dogs often love to lie close to a fire, so watch for signs of overheating, like heavy panting, and make sure they can move away to a cooler spot. Keep fire starters, matches, and ash out of reach, and never leave a pet alone with an open flame. Short-coated dogs like many Jack Russells may feel the cold more outdoors, so a warm indoor nook after a winter walk is a welcome treat.
Odessa and Pip look as if they could stay right here until spring. The fire pops, the blanket holds the heat, and the little dog in her lap sighs like the whole world is exactly right. On a cold evening, it probably is.
