Winter in New England can be a gray, morose affair. This year, it's been rainy and dull more than snowy. 

People are known to suffer with SAD (seasonal affective disorder), but from my observations, animals do also. 

During the shoulder seasons when the AC or heat aren't required, I leave my doors open as much as possible so the dogs can come and go as they please, and the air circulates through the house. Dash loves to nap outside in the sun on many of these late mornings. 

Below freezing stretches make that tough, though. Of my three dogs, he has the most sensitive feet, which collect iceballs or salt from the roads the quickest. He is often in when Cedar and built-for-snow Nyssa are out. 

Many late mornings when the sun shines in the living room windows, I can find Dash asleep in the patch of sunlight. When the sun is out and the step outside is clear, he gets me up multiple times to go out, but doesn't want to stay. Well, not without me, and I need to be back in on the computer. 

If I put a dog bed down for him in the protected corner of the porch, he will lay there or find another spot to take a nap in the sun. Then I can see him get up when he has had enough. He comes in with super warm fur smelling like sun and happiness. I love that scent. 

Dash reminds me that no matter the temperatures, it's important to feel the sun (when it's out) on my face and take in the fresh, clean air. We don't thrive without sun. And it's always fun to throw the ball for them for a few minutes or watch Cedar chase his herding egg around on the frozen snow. 

Remember to take in some outside time each day. We may not be green, but the sun energizes us and our animals. Get it in your fur and notice how you feel after. Dash guarantees it will be better than you do now.~