An Erie dog found nearly frozen now has a new owner, the Erie Times-News reported.

The article published Dec. 26, 2025, at 5:10 a.m. ET pairs the animal’s outcome with practical advice for pet owners on recognizing when dogs are cold and how to encourage brief, safe outdoor time during winter conditions.

Writers highlighted visible signs that a dog may be suffering in low temperatures: shivering, whining and seeking warmth, and noted that cold can affect paws, tails and ears. The piece drew on veterinary and retail sources for guidance, citing long-term effects of cold weather on a dog’s health, citing Greencrossvets.com on signs of cold and Tractor Supply Co. for ways to help pets stay warm. If not monitored closely, prolonged exposure to cold can lead to long-term health issues, such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and exacerbated joint pain and stiffness, which can have lasting effects on a dog’s mobility.

The American Veterinary Medical Association was referenced for guidance on dog health and wellness exams, and the article included recommendations for creating safe outdoor environments backed by veterinary sources such as Vetmed. To ensure a safe winter environment, pet owners can provide an insulated doghouse and use pet-safe ice melts to keep their dogs secure while outdoors. Those resources emphasize protecting paws from ice and chemicals and limiting time outside in bitter temperatures; readers seeking more on safe outdoor environments can consult Vetmed for additional background.

Additionally, the article notes that certain dog breeds, including Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, and Greyhounds, are particularly vulnerable to cold weather due to their small sizes and thin coats. To encourage reluctant dogs to go outdoors, the Erie Times-News story quoted Mike Amann, owner of Lake Erie K9. “Using toys and rewards when they find said toy, stimulates their olfactory senses and make the eyes look,” Amann said, describing a method to make brief outings more rewarding for dogs in cold weather.

The coverage framed the rehoming of the dog alongside practical steps owners can take to reduce cold-related risk. It noted that simple behavioral cues — lifting paws, burrowing under blankets, or persistent whining — are reliable early warnings that an animal needs warmth and attention.

Veterinary and animal-care outlets linked in the story offer complementary guidance: the American Veterinary Medical Association provides long-range guidance on routine health and wellness checks, while other sources cited outline seasonal adjustments owners can make for short-haired or older dogs. For information on common breeds that are more susceptible to cold weather, the AKC resource included in the reporting offers further reading.

The Erie article combined the account of the dog found nearly frozen with these references to translate a single incident into broadly applicable advice for pet owners navigating cold weather. It emphasized responding quickly to behavioral signs and using positive reinforcement to limit stress during necessary outdoor time.

Readers of the Erie Times-News piece were pointed to multiple sources for more detail about winter pet care, along with the specific account of the dog that has since been placed with a new owner.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.