A friend of mine went out of the country and asked me to watch her dogs this weekend before her inlaws come on Monday. Now, I know her mind is in 50 different places since they are on their way to get their daughter, but it is going to be 33 degrees here tonight and tomorrow and she left them outside!

When I asked her if I should bring them in (she only wants me to go over on Saturday night to check on them, but I go more than that!), she said, "They have fur."

They are older (8 and 9 I think) and it is just too chilly in my mind to leave them outside. They are normally inside dogs, but do spend a lot of time outside. My friend also got new carpeting last week so I guess I will leave them in her bedroom (old carpet in there).

Do you think I am wrong for doing this and risking an accident?

You sound like me! I think that is kinda mean of her to make them stay outside all night- especially since they are use to being in the house AND are older. I don't blame you a bit i would do it to even if it may mean i might have to clean up a mess. jmho
let us know how it goes!

Our black lab just came in the house for the winter!!!! She is 8 1/2 years old and we live in the "warm" state of Wisconsin!!!! She goes back out to her kennel in April. I personally would not keep my dog outside with temperatures below 25-30 or so. But here, you factor in the wind chill, and it gets pretty darn cold. I think the temp. you are talking about is ok? Do they have alot of fur? I just have to keep separate a 15 month old and a dog now!!! michelle

Both of them have health issues and with the wind chill, believe it or not, they are predicting 29 degrees! That is in Florida.

I think I am going to bring them in. I know they are dogs, but I can't let something happen to them. I would bring them to my house, but my Sheltie would be PUT OUT!

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When I was growing up we had an outside and inside dogs. In the winter we would give Spot (the dogs name) a quilt and hay in his house, also if the wind seemed like it was blowing into his house my Father would move the dog house around. We would also give him plenty of warm water throughout the day (not hot- just warm enough- like room temp.) so his water would not freeze as fast. If your friend said to leave them outside, I would just see if there is an extra blanket or two for them, you don't want anything to happen in their house from you taking the dogs inside.

IMO, it's mean to leave dogs outside all the time - winter or summer. I know that plenty of people do it and probably the dogs are fine, but it still seems mean. It'd be different if they had a barn to go into or could roam free, but to leave them chained up or in a kennel just seems so harsh. As you can tell, I grew up and now have only inside dogs. I'd never get a dog if I intended to leave it outside all of the time.

Do they have some kind of shelter to go in outside - a dog house, shed, something?? If they have a way to escape the wind, I would think they would be fine. If they are just going to be standing outside in the wind, I'd probably bring them in.

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my dog is an outside dog all the time...you put hay or straw in their box and it keeps them warm...my puppy has only tried to come in the house since we took her to have her fixed a few weeks ago...had to drag her in the vets office because she knew she was not allowed in the house...lol...but the second time we took her back to get the stitches out she just proudly walked in there..lol.

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CHOOSE TODAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE!!!

I would bring them in. I think it's mean to leave animals out in weather you wouldn't want to stay out in. If she is unhappy that you did it, she won't ask you again, but at least you will have peace of mind that you did the humane and caring thing.

I don't agree with having pets just tied or kenneled outside. I think it's awful. JMO

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