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Sunday’s snowfall across the Ohio Valley may have been a headache for many drivers and road crew workers; however, the white wintry accumulation was a brief welcome for some. Two-year-old Remmi, a Goldendoodle from Toronto, enjoyed running through his backyard for a few moments, while some city residents could be seen walking their dogs in the center of the roadways due to sidewalks and curbsides piled high with more than a foot of snow. Despite forecasters predicting no additional accumulation in the coming week, temperatures are not expected to surpass 20 degrees through Saturday. According to pet safety guidelines, domesticated animals should not be kept on outdoor excursions for more than 10 to 15 minutes. Be sure to factor in those pets which are at higher risk and should not be out longer than 10 minutes, including animals with short hair and thin coats, such as greyhounds or boxers; smaller breeds, including chihuahuas and Yorkies; puppies and senior dogs and those with slender builds. If you notice any of the following signs, animals should be brought indoors immediately: Holding one or more paws off the ground could indicate paws are painfully cold or ice is stuck between toes; shivering, which is a last-ditch effort to create heat; anxiety, such as whining, shivering or hovering by the door; and lethargy, appearing slow, clumsy or confused can mean they are experiencing stages of hypothermia. Should pets be on roadways containing road salt, be sure to immediately wipe their paws with a warm cloth, as the salt can cause chemical burns on paw pads. All animal abuse suspicions should be reported by calling the Jefferson County Humane Society at (740) 314-5583 or the Jefferson County Dog Warden or local law enforcement if the nonprofit can not be reached.

— Julie Stenger