It’s that time of year again, when my two miniature dachshunds won’t even think about stepping outside without their little dog sweaters. Maybe it’s because they’re so low to the ground that a half inch of snow means a cold belly, but what started as a cute dog fashion statement has become a habit for us each fall and winter. Getting them to wear the sweaters at first wasn’t easy. In fact, one of the two of them still resists the act of getting dressed but is happy once the warm fuzzy sweater is on. On the other hand, our older dog will stand in front of her favorite sweater and nudge it towards us with the same enthusiasm she does when asking to play fetch with a ball. Even if our dogs didn’t love their sweaters, I’d insist on them, just like I would with a child, particularly on days when the temperature is below freezing. For a short-haired dog, anything else would just be cruel.
