So, it's finally starting to get cold, more so in some places than others of course, and with that brings a new wardrobe, new movies to cuddle with your dog on the couch with a new Starbucks holiday drink, a new Grey's Anatomy series and perhaps some different ways to keep your pup warm during walks and playing outside.

When the nights begin to start around 7 p.m., the air is more dry and cooler, you might see different behaviors in your dog, espeically if he/she is older. I didn't believe this at first, but the cold weather actually makes your dog's joints more stiff - I've seen it in my schnauzer! Older bones get stiff in the chill and older bodies arenʼt quite as good at staying warm- things just donʼt work as well for many senior dogs.

One of the quickest ways to vastly improve your pets playtime in the cold weather is to make sure heʼs got the right kind of bed during the night. Even if heʼs been sleeping with you for years, the time might be just around the corner when that hop up to the bed — and the one down from it — gets to be too painful for him.

Another way to deal with cold-weather-pain is to get your pup a set of steps that will help him/her get from floor to bed and back down again without jumping. If youʼre looking ahead, though, it might be in both of your best interests to find him a great bed that heʼll be more comfortable sleeping in than he will on yours, and kinder to let him get used to the idea and choose to change beds now, on his own, rather than have to force the issue later if there are incontinence problems.

Visco materials are great in bedding for older dogs. Itʼs soft, pliable but somewhat supportive, and it retains a great deal of body heat. For an older dog, sleeping on something that stays warm and softly cradles the body can be the difference between waking up in the morning with a whimper or bounding out of bed like a youngster. Visco beds are one of the better choices you can make for a large dog who is getting older. An even better choice of bed construction material for a large dog, especially one who is aging, is natural latex. While it wonʼt retain the body heat that visco will, it is more supportive while still being cushy.Bean bags are also a great choice for older dogs - as long as you get one thatʼs the right size so your dog will have the room it needs. Theyʼre great because they conform to however your dog wants to sleep, relieving your pop of any unneccisary pressure against joints or bones that are already in pain.

Still not satisfied? More ways to keep your dog from stiffness include dog outerwear. Even a hardy dog who is getting older might benefit from a jacket or sweater to wear outside when winter hits. Don't make your dog give up walks! Walks are good for health in all ways but cold joints donʼt move freely, so a good walking coat can make a world of difference to your old dog. If your dog hasnʼt worn boots in bad weather it might be difficult to convince him to go along with it now, but if you can reach an accord on the subject of boots, theyʼll make a difference in cracked pads and cold, sore paws. Lastly, joint supplements like chondroitin, glucosamine and MSM can boost your dogs calcium and bone strength. One called “Catʼs Claw” is well known to be effective in treating arthritis and even helping to prevent it. Just donʼt tell your dog what the name of it is.

Also, consider adjusting feeding schedules. You donʼt want your dog to carry excess weight — thatʼs another thing that is hard on joints — but you do want him to be able to regulate his own body temperature. One way to help with this is to spread out feedings. Instead of feeding once or twice a day, feed the same overall amount, but stretch it out over three or four smaller meals. It usually wonʼt hurt to add in a few tasty scraps or drizzle some bacon grease over the food, as older dogs sometimes lose their sense of taste and even part of their ability to smell. Just be careful not to add too much rich fat to his diet because that can lead to pancreatitis.

These techniques may sound silly now, but your dog will be thanking you later, because thereʼs no reason your aging dog shouldnʼt enjoy his holiday years!

Ugaʼs undeniably one of the most personable and likable of all college team mascots. Heʼs good-natured, loves children, accepts the affection of his legions of fans without a fuss, letting them pet him until his broad head and shoulders must be nearly raw. If ever there were a genial, self-effacing breed of dog, itʼs the English Bulldog. Which is part of the reason everyone loves Uga. Even rival fans love Uga. You just canʼt help it.

If all the accolades and attention werenʼt enough already, being featured in Tom Berendtʼs bestseller, Midnight In The Garden of Good And Evil, and then in the blockbuster movie made from the book just blew things all out of proportion.

The Ugas began their affable rein back in 1956, when Uga I first trundled out onto the football field. He was the grandson of Old Dan, a white English Bulldog who accompanied the 1942 Georgia Bulldogs to the Rose Bowl and came back with the national championship. Uga Iʼs tenure lasted for ten years, during which time he presided over 1959ʼs SEC championship team.

Uga II was also a descendant of Old Dan and managed to cram two SEC titles and one national championship into a mere six years. Good dog, as they say in Georgia!

Uga III was the first to carry the Seiler name that has become synonymous with Georgia football — and inseparable from the name Uga. He also had two SEC championships and a national championship season before retiring in 1981.

His successor, Uga IV, had a very distinguished career. Not only did he have a stellar record, 77-27-4, with two SEC championships to his credit, he was the first four legged mascot to be invited to the Heisman award banquet. Herschel Walker looked proud to accompany Uga, wearing a custom fitted tux like a proper British gentleman, to the famous Downtown Athletic Club for the event. Along with all the superlatives of Herschel Walkerʼs career, he will always be the first nominee — or winner — to walk the dog through that venerable space.

Another incident in the life of Uga IV was the Substitute. Uga IV injured his leg when he jumped off the hotel bed before the Vanderbilt game, so his older brother, Otto, stepped into the dog house and kept watch over the team for the next four games until Uga was well enough to resume his regular duties. Otto will be forever remembered for coming off the bench and saving the day.

Uga V had a colorful life. He got a lot of attention. He played the role of his father, Uga IV, in the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. He showed he wasnʼt just another pretty face when he made a lunge for Auburn receiver, Robert Baker, during a game, and was chosen to grace the front of Sports Illustrated magazine. He even amassed another impressive winning record, although no championships.

Uga VI put away two SEC titles, two Bowl championships and a record of winning over 20 ranked opponents — more than any Uga before him. Now there was a Damn Good Dog.

Uga VII officially took over the custom made air conditioned field/dog house in August, 2008, after the retirement of Uga VI. Heʼs still making a name for himself but thereʼs little doubt heʼll live up to his predecessors and make them proud.

There is tradition around Uga. His jerseys are always made from the same cloth as the team jerseys. When Uga retires, so do his jerseys. His spiked collar seems a little out of place around a neck that holds up that big, wide-grinning, friendly face that seems to say, “there are no strangers, only friends I havenʼt licked.”

And when each incarnation of Uga reaches his final retirement, his body is laid to rest in a family mausoleum near the main entrance of Sanford Stadium. The university flag flies at half mast, and Iʼm sure many students look toward it and utter one last, “Damn Good Dog!” But there will always be an Uga, and a son or grandson steps into the empty dog house and begins a new season as he hears “Damn Good Dog” for the first time, just for him.

Despite the vast majority of skeptics who are curious why a blog would be posted about beaches in the fall/winter, let me tell you friend, now is THE time to take your dog to the beach in the north. Ever thought about sea shell hunting in your hat and scarf? How about going for a morning run while listening to the waves beat down on the cold, sandy surface. What a great date night or morning/afternoon venture. During off-season, many major beaches allow dogs- even leash-free-at this time of year. Make an entire Saturday of the beach – Santa style. No crowds. No extra charges. Take a picnic or grab lunch at a pet-friendly diner. Your dog will surely appreciate the journey, and you'll feel better about giving your pup a change in scenary. Read up about our Top 10, look at the pics and check out the links!

9. Down's Park Dog Beach, MD – The perfect place to be over the winter. Take your dog, off-leash – anytime to Downs Park Dog Beach. Just grab your pet carrier or your dog's carseat a few dog toys and some dog treats and you're good to go! With lots of festivities to participate in, including ice skating, Down's Park will liven up your weekends and vacations, all while being inexpensive.

7. Carson Beach, BA – Find award-winning landscapes, surrounding public amenities, a beautiful view of the harbor all on Carson. The benches and walkways allow for running or strolling with your pet. Enjoy a hot coco at a nearby restaurant and explore the sandy beaches of Boston.

5. Seabrook Beach, N.H. - With flat sandy beaches, rocky nature spots and seagulls, this beach is an ideal peaceful environment. Bring your puppy between Sept. 15 – June 1, or on weekends, to Seabrook. With lots of local events, holiday events and great places to eat, you can make Seabrook a weekend get-away – no worries about calling a sitter for your dog.

2. Montauk Point State Park, N.Y.- Holding the oldest lighthouse in New York, Montauk Point is ideal for visiting during Aug-May. Bring your dog and favorite hot drink, because when the waters are calm, you can see all the way to Rhode Island on this sandy point. Take the opportunity to discover nature trails, camping sites or great beach spots to lounge.

1. Brigantine Beach, N.J.- Surf's up at Brigantine! Enjoy high waves, sandy beaches and all-natural sand dunes. There's surfing competitions and 4-wheel drive. From October 1st-May 29^th, dogs are allowed on all beaches! As long as they have a dog leash or dog harness, your pet can enjoy the beach and sand. Make it a Saturday!

Oh - and be sure to keep these reasearched beaches a secret. These spots are so enjoyable, you'll have the entire northern crowded geared up for a beach trip next weekend!

Cartoons have been anthropomorphizing all kinds of animals for decades and no one ever did it better than Looney Tunes. Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Pepe le Pew, Wile E. Coyote, Roadrunner, Sylvester, Tweety, Speedy Gonzalez and a cast of thousands made the initials WB famous — well, more famous. Warner Bros. didnʼt neglect manʼs best friend in their casting calls. From the beginnings in 1930, canines populated the Looney Tunes world as main characters as well as foils, straight “men” and sidekicks, becoming some of the best loved of the supporting cast of characters.

One of the first pairs was Marvin the Martian and K-9. K-9 was the little green manʼs big green space dog in the gladiator helmet complete with scrub brush on top and Martian version of the Roman gladiator “skirt.” He was loosely parodied from Disneyʼs spacey dog, Pluto. In the initial cartoon, Haredevil Hare, K-9 had a speaking role, but was something of a dimwit. In later cartoon shorts, his part expanded and he became the more intelligent of the pair. K-9 wasnʼt a character who appeared very often, but he had staying power, appearing last in a couple of Duck Dodgers episodes.

Poor Spike! Big, muscle bound, bowler wearing Bulldog who kept getting beaten up by Sylvester, much to the chagrin and confusion of his sidekick, bouncy, ebullient Chester the Terrier. Thereʼs always some kind of extenuating circumstance, a sneaky black panther that stands in for Sylvester or a Mr. Hyde version of Sylvester.

The 1950s were a good decade for dogs in the Warner Bros. stable and one of the best loved was another bulldog, Marc Antony. Part of his charm was being paired with the cutest cat in cartoondom, Pussyfoot. The short where Marc Antony finds Pussyfoot, Feed the Kitty, is a well loved classic. Watching the big, tough Bulldog frantically try to hide the tiny kitten from his mistress, who has warned him not to bring one more thing into the house is surpassed in giggles only by the parts where the tiny kitten makes himself comfortable by kneading poor Marc Antonyʼs loose skin into a soft, squishy bed. Mark Antony and Pussyfoot would go on to star in several more shorts together over the years, only being antagonists in one cartoon, Go Fly a Kit. The Bulldogʼs latest appearance was in the last scene of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. For that role, Marc Antony appeared with a dye job from brown to gray.

Buttons and Mindy are the newest pair in the WBʼs animation stables. Buttons is a longsuffering German Shepherd left in charge, time after time, of Mindy, a precocious toddler with a talent for tripping unscathed through series of disasters. Poor Buttons. While Mindy blithely toddles on her way through the chaos as Buttons madly scrambles to catch up to snatch Mindy from the Maw of Doom, only to miss, time after time and get chewed and spit out in said Maws of Doom. Somehow, Mindy manages to get back to whatever highly effective and safe babysitting contraption her mother left her in, while Buttons staggers back just one moment too late and ends up getting scolded for leaving his post.
Poor Buttons. Bet he canʼt wait for Mindy to grow up.

 Embedded pictures were provided by (c)2009 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and TM. All rights reserved.