Thanks to winter storm Nemo, over 24" of pretty glorious fresh powder fell on Boston Friday night. It was a proper blizzard, with clapbord-rattling wind and impressive drifts. The city, erring on the side of prevention, shut down public transit and enforced a 24-hour driving ban - effectively creating a blustery ghost town, with only the occassional public works pick-up sloppily shoving through the accumulation. By morning, the main streets had been reasonably maintained, but just about everything else (parked cars, sidewalks, front yards, back decks and garden gnomes) was positively burried. Some sidestreets had yet to see any kind of plow. For this Vermonter, the morning brought with it a wonderland.
Oscar quite obviously dissagreed with my enthusiasm.
But the Beast was a sweet-faced trooper and trotted along with his pack as we skiied our way through the kingdom, admiring the magnificence of the occassion.
For all his weight and serious-ness, Oscar is not a terrible toughie. Maybe I had something to do with that, though I get a sense the Ridgeback breed is rife with divas. On top of an embarassing sensitivity to wet feet, and disgust at any amount of precipitation blowing into his eyes, the Beast is not well insulated against wind and freezing temps by his tight, short coat; if he's not keeping up a vigorous pace, he gets cold, fast. Fair enough, my boy, fair enough. For this reason, we've got a couple coats in rotation - they don't make a sub-zero day a sauna, but they extend his tolerance long enough for a decent walk.
And not a winter walk goes by that he doesn't get a compliment on his wardrobe...
Years ago I discovered Swedish canine coat company, Obtrack - it was love at first sight of their smart, red-on-black tailoring, and I've been a devotee ever since. Full disclosure - these coats are expensive, and a rip or tear will prompt an appearance by your sewing kit before you reach for your credit card to order a replacement. In my humble opinion, they are also worth every penny. For starters: they fit like nothing else - even with shoulder-drawstring panels, velcro collar tabs, and an adjustable buckle over the back to secure the belly panel, the coats come in 13 sizes! meaning a much more exacting fit for your pup than traditional S, M, L. Also: they're DEAD SEXY. AND: they put up to wear - after 5 years of trail runs, Northeast winters, run-ins with barbed wire fences and wrestling with honest to goodness "animals", Oscar's Skrylle was only just this season replaced. His Rogle will need updating in another year or two, but it's still the snuggly go-to when the Beast spends a chilly day in the studio with me.
I sing Obtrack's praises whenever possible, though I have yet to see a SINGLE dog in person wearing one, or even a distributer (I ordered Oscar's coats direct from the Obtrack online shop). I assume they are more common across Europe... guess for now the brand is just our little not-so-closely-kept secret (Obtack, if you're reading this post - you've found your next US sales rep).
And with Valentine's Day just around the corner, we thought a little blatant brand-love might be apropos:
Love your blog! I feel like you are writing about my Ridgy. Bosco is SUCH a diva. He refuses to even go outside if he sees it is wet. He can't stand having dirty/wet feet. Fortunately we live in a warmer climate (Texas), so he has not had to deal with snow. I have a feeling he would not be a fan.
Posted by: Andrea Otis | February 13, 2013 at 10:44 AM
NIce dog apparel. Rudy the Weimeraner wears a fleece coat from Canada but it doesn't have the elastic leg bands so it lists one way or the other over the course of a two mile walk. Thanks Andrew for the heads up.
Posted by: Anne | February 13, 2013 at 10:53 AM
I guess you haven't seen Apollo in his Obtrack jacket, which I purchased only after I saw Oscar in his! btw, love your comment "..get a sense the Ridgeback breed is rife with divas" - clearly you've met Athena (who will get an Obtrack jacket for the 2013-14 winter season)
Posted by: Holly Buttura | February 13, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Oh Holly I didn't know Apollo was an Obtrack fan as well - that's AWESOME!! I'm coveting their blue fleece coat, the Billebjer...
Posted by: Natalya | February 13, 2013 at 11:03 AM
Andrea - Bosco sounds like he fits the RR standard to a "T"! :) Snow is a bit more tolerable than rain, I think, but as it was up to his belly this weekend, the Beast was NOT pleased when he had to break trail to find his bathroom spots!
Posted by: Natalya | February 13, 2013 at 11:07 AM
Too funny, I have to agree with all the other posters. My four-month old Ridgie Nigel refuses to go out if the grass is even slightly wet. (Which is a bit of a problem on the housebreaking front). He has a tan plaid jacket, but I really like these Obtrack jackets. They seem like they would cover more of his tummy. He refused to do "down" in obedience class until the trainer put down a blanket for him. Total diva. : )
Posted by: Alison | February 14, 2013 at 07:59 PM
Thanks so much for this post. I have been searching for a new coat for two years and ordered the Skyrlle X+ for Maasai (an even bigger wimp, especially in the wind). He got a compliment from the first two people we saw the first time he wore it.
Posted by: Lauren | April 02, 2013 at 01:48 PM
How wonderful, Lauren! I love discovering things just when I need them... so glad you were able to come to an informed decision for Maasai - and extra glad that he's making a fashionable impression in your neighborhood! Oscar sends his stylish best...
Posted by: Natalya | April 02, 2013 at 02:24 PM
I bought 4 about 10 or so years ago from Clean Run’s doggie shop. After that year they were never carried again. Does anyone know where to purchase one in the US?
I tried calling Sweden to order but I don’t speak Swedish and there was not an English speaking person there.
Suggestions? Thoughts? These coats are above and beyond the best ever.
Thanks, Grace
Posted by: Grace Lossman | December 03, 2019 at 09:54 AM