The Pets Alive sanctuary is facing the biggest Nor-easter in the New England area in 15 years.

By Patty Hegwood

We've moved the dogs out of those dark kennels indoors to the great outdoors . . . where they now need water wings!

So now we are tarp city. Pat, our certified dog trainer, has put my mind at ease. He reminds me that the dogs are actually warmer in their new outside runs because they have igloos. An igloo filled with straw actually helps the dogs retain their body heat much better.

Still, we did bring some of the dogs indoors. Pets Alive has quite a large geriatric population, and, albeit reluctantly, the cats gave up one of their rooms as they moved into the warmth of another house so that the old dogs could get out of the rain.

So it's a quiet day as the dogs sit in their igloos waiting out the rain. I look out the window from the two story building overlooking the runs and all I see are noses poking from the igloos.

We have been on regular blanket distribution as well as the homemade peanut butter cookie run that one of our volunteers made. Everyone loves the peanut butter doggie biscuits, so we were golden.

P.S. If you would like to drop off blankets or take in an elderly pooch into your home for foster, please e-mail me at patty@bestfriends.org. They would love to come into your home and curl up by the fire.

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