This post is not intended to give you tips on how to actually avoid muddy paw season or lessen the mud that your dog is bouncing through the yard in, those kind of posts are in the works.
This post is giving you tips on how to psyche yourself up for the season that is upon us.
Welcome to March.
The unofficial beginning of mud season, also known as Muddy March.
It’s a tough season, it’s a long season
Admit that muddy paw season is inevitable.
Every year I think to myself, “Maybe we’ll have a dry spring and things won’t be so bad.” and every year I’m sadly disappointed.
There has never been a spring in my Newfie owning lifetime that wasn’t muddy.
March comes in like a lion and leaves us with dogs that are wet and covered in mud.
March = In like a lion, out like a muddy Newfie.
April is the same exact way.
It snows one day, rains the next, freezes and then rains again.
We will get 20 inches of snow one day and then it will be 75 degrees the next.
It’s. Going. To. Happen.
You need a theme song.
Having a theme song when your wiping muddy paws for the next several months can make or break the season.
It’s the difference between sanely making it through or losing your marbles at the end of April.
My personal favorite is “We Are The Champions” by Queen.
Insert your own verses and you’re pumped.
I’ve paid my dues
spring after spring
I’ve wiped the paws
But mud was still flinging
And some mistakes
I’ve missed a few
I’ve had my share of mud kicked in my face
But I’ve made it through
We are the champions, my friends
And we’ll keep on wiping ’til the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for whining
‘Cause we have more muddy paws to wipe
*Author’s note, if you go with Queen, do not go into Bohemian Rhapsody or you’re going to spiral down in the wrong direction!
Mud is pretty easy to clean
If you think about all the other dog stains that you encounter like diarrhea, pee, vomit, and even dog drool, mud is pretty easy to clean.
Mud splatters wipe off the cabinets and walls pretty easily with wet rags or Magic Erasers.
Floor wipes and mops remove it floors.
It dries fast and vacuums up.
Remember that you’re not alone
It might feel like you’re alone when you are up to your eyeballs in mud but there are thousands, if not millions, of other dog owners dealing with muddy paw season at the same time as you.
Join a support group, cry together, drink together and bitch it up. It’ll make you feel better when everyone else admits that they are fed up with it too.
There is an end
It might not seem like it and it might be months before it goes away but the mud will eventually dry up and next thing you know, we’ll complaining about how hot it is outside and how the grass is so dry that the ground is breaking up.
Between dogs shedding and mud season, we’re entering the messiest time of the year to own a Newfie (or any dog).
I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
Cheryl Batik
Monday 9th of September 2019
We live in Columbus Ohio. I have a Newfie and my son;s Berner lives here too. Anytime I see cheap runner carpet I buy it. to make a walk way through my kitchen from the deck and throw it away when it is no longer absorbing. It is easy to roll up if company comes over.Of course, it doesn't catch it all but it helps. I am the only person who grumbles in the winter when someone at work says I'm so happy It's going to be fifty tomorrow!!, knowing my yard will be a mud pit
Cathy Armato
Monday 4th of March 2019
Great song! We can totally relate to the muddy paw syndrome! My Husky can't stay out of the March/April mud and the snow/rain/Wintery mix days never stop! Today is particularly sloppy outside. My poor floors.... Love & Biscuits, Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
hollythreesixfive
Monday 4th of March 2019
It never really froze here!!! That sounds for a minute like a good thing, but it stayed wet and muddy the whole time. Our muddy season never went away!!! (I do think it might be getting MUDDIER now... ) Yeah, I’m tired of mud.
Tails Around the Ranch
Sunday 3rd of March 2019
Freddie Mercury would be proud. Yeah, when you have dogs, even in dry climates like mine, there's always a muddy season.