Blog — Writer_Saarah_Monawvil

How Cold is too Cold to Walk your Dog Winter is here! With temperatures consistently falling below freezing and a few too many days below 0℉, you may be wondering: How cold is too cold to walk your canine companion? Here at Sparky Steps, our policy is to limit walks to 15 minutes when the temperature dips below 20℉. We do this because our main concern is the safety of your pup in these extreme temperatures -- while keeping in mind their need to do their business and stretch their paws. Here are some things to consider when assessing whether...

Shelter Dogs: How Can We Help? Here at SparkySteps, it’s no surprise that we absolutely love dogs! When we heard that some of Chicago’s animal shelters were overcrowded to the point of possible euthanization, we just couldn’t believe it. We all know about how canine companions can enrich our lives, almost as much as we enrich theirs. But when thinking of adopting a dog, many wonder why they should look at shelters and rescues. So we’ve compiled a list of 4 reasons you should adopt a shelter dog, and 4 things you can do if you aren’t quite ready to adopt. Why...

How to Keep Your Dog Comfortable All Winter With the temperature continuing to drop, we’re all bundling up and throwing on the layers to step outside. But are our dogs as cold as we are? Some of our furry friends are blessed with thick coats that protect them from the below-freezing temperatures, but many shorter or thinner haired dogs are just as cold as we are! Here are some tips to help your pup stay comfortable all through the not-so-mild Chicago winter.   Keeping Warm As a general rule of thumb, if you aren’t comfortable standing outside without a coat...

Holiday Gifts Your Dog Will Love The most magical time of the year is back! For many of us in the Chicagoland area, the holiday season is in full force -- and so is the mad dash to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones to share in the holiday cheer! Included on that list, of course, are our ever-joyous canine companions. But how do we find the perfect gift? Sparky Steps is here to help, with some holiday gift ideas we’re sure your pup will love! Dog Bones - Dogs sure do love gnawing on those bone treats!...

Dog Friendly Holiday Spots With Thanksgiving just barely over, the holiday season is officially in full swing throughout Chicago. From holiday markets to outdoor ice skating rinks, the city is bustling with seasonal activities and brightly-lit displays. While all of us here at Sparky Steps are very excited, we would also love to bring our canine companions along for the ride. But unfortunately, many places have restrictions on whether furry friends are allowed to join in on the fun. To make this holiday season simpler for everyone involved, we’ve compiled a list of a few places our pups can tag...