Supervise pets closely in winter

Having family in Broken Bow and area, I read The Custer County Chief article: “Cold weather care for pets” (www.custercountychief.com Jan. 27).

I am glad that the essential points were mentioned such as keeping plenty of food and thawed water available for pet dogs, cats, and other small domesticated animals which stay outdoors.

The main principle was noted: “If the weather is too cold for you, it is probably too cold for your pet.”

Watch the weather forecast. Many pet owners are away at their jobs the bulk of the day. A helpful pattern I do is to develop a “pattern” by which, in my case, it is two small cats, “Jasper” and “Sharona” ( the latter nicknamed ‘Toad’ since it hops --- is to call the cats right before sundown, before they attempt to hibernate (perhaps under a neighbor’s shed for the night).

Pets get a routine, and if they find they have more shelter at a neighbor’s place, you may eventually lose your dog or cat (by default) due to it looking out for its own very survival.

Pets DEPEND on human-beings. And humans need to be vigilant stewards for those pets.

I somewhat disagree about keeping a pet on a leash during a snowstorm. While this sounds good, leashes CAN get knotted, tangled and prevent the animal from reaching foot or shelter and the animal may freeze to death.

If you cannot be home by sundown to supervise a pet’s welfare, recruit someone you trust who will be there, including your teen children who are oldenough to have cognitive responsibility. It can be your neighbors. If you have nobody as back-up support, sadly you shouldn’t own an outdoor pet.

James A Marple Longview, Texas