South St. Paul dogs get relief from ice and snow

December 19, 1:49 PMSouth St. Paul ExaminerRob Shirk

Previous Next

3 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the South St. Paul Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Musher's Secret

Musher's Secret might not be much of a secret anymore after "Buddy" or "Trixie" open their Christmas presents.

There are many reasons why a dog loves this area, with its many trails winding through one of the most extensive urban park systems in the country, but taking a walk on the surfaces of the city during winter isn't one of them. The pavement is extremely cold and the roads and sidewalks are cleared for us humans, not for the animals.

The sharp edges of salt, sand, and ice crystals play havoc in between the pads of the paws of dogs and it hurts them. The only way to help them out is to try "booties" or socks, or some other human type of protection and it seems that half the time, if not more, the owner is walking backward trying to find the sock that fell off along the way. The dog isn't happy. Nobody's happy.

Michell Critchell, our earstwhile D.C. Dogs Examiner, has a more lighthearted view of canine life when the dog shoes get tossed at current heads of state.

Treadwell Pet Products developed Musher's Secret originally for the sledding dogs in that harsh climate of Canada. South St. Paul and Twin Cities' latitude actually lie north of Toronto and as long as we have to go south to Canada, I guess we qualify in that vaunted "harshness". Musher's Secret protects and shields their paws from the merciless edges of the city.

Apply a thin coat, like a cream, to the bottom and in between of their pads once a week or so, depending on conditions and how often you and "Queenie" go out. Even though it covers up the pads, the dog can still "breathe". It is non-toxic and non-allergenic. It won't stain carpets or furniture. The dogs are thrilled they no longer have to suffer the indignities of boots and humans can get in a walk without having to backtrack every minute or so to retrieve the silly things.

Musher's Secret can be bought in a lot of different places and even Amazon.com carries the stuff.