Grandpa Earl Grabbed the Snow Shovel. Domino Picked the Biggest Drift and Dove In.
Snow has buried the driveway, and Grandpa Earl is bundled up in a knit cap, fleece, and his trusty fishing vest, pushing a shovel through the heavy white layer. He's making steady progress, but his helper has a very different approach to winter. Domino has flopped down right in the middle of a fresh snowbank in the foreground, front legs sprawled, mouth wide open in a joyful grin, snowflakes clinging to his black-and-white face. Behind them, the garage door is closed, trash bins sit at the curb, and the neighborhood trees stand bare against a pale grey sky.
Many dogs adore snow, and a romp in fresh powder can be great fun. Great Danes, however, have short, thin coats and lean bodies, so they can get cold faster than their size suggests. Short play sessions, a warm dog coat for longer outings, and watching for shivering or lifting paws are good habits. Snow can hide sharp objects, and ice-melting salts and chemicals on driveways can irritate paw pads and upset stomachs if licked. Wiping paws with a warm, damp cloth after coming inside helps. Antifreeze is especially dangerous and should be cleaned up immediately if spilled.
The driveway will get cleared eventually. For now, Domino is having the time of his life, and Earl doesn't have the heart to call him in just yet.
