This year, the winter solstice will take place on Thursday, December 21st. It will occur at the same instant all around the Earth. It is when the sun reaches the farthest southward point of the year. On this day, the South Polar region is in 24-hour daylight while the North Polar region is in 24-hour darkness. On this day in the Northern Hemisphere, it is the longest night and shortest day of the year, while in the Southern Hemisphere it is the shortest night and longest day. This event is caused by Earth’s tilt on its axis and its motion in orbit around the sun.
The Earth is tilted on its axis by 23.5° and this is what causes winter and summer. During the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere leans the farthest away from the sun and the sun stays below the North Pole horizon. The winter solstice marks late dawns, early sunsets, and a low arc of the sun across the sky each day. The low sun will typically appear in the sky at noon and be sure to look for the noontime shadow, it is the longest of the year on the solstice.
As the temperature drops, it is important to help keep your pets warm this winter. When animals are exposed to severe cold, they are at risk for wind-chill, hypothermia, and frostbite. Paws, ears, and noses can freeze and result in permanent damage if unprotected in freezing weather. To reduce the chance of injury, walking your dog in extremely cold temperatures should be limited to ten minutes.
Buchheit has a great selection of products to help keep pets warm this winter. Outside animals must be provided with a dry and draft-free shelter that can hold in body heat. We have a variety of dog houses well suited for small or large dogs. The floor of the dog house should be covered with shavings, straw, or heavy plastic. Bales of pine shavings are also available for purchase. Outside animals need more food this time of year because the cold depletes energy. Water dishes should be filled regularly and checked to see if the water has frozen. In below frigid temperature, your pet’s tongue can stick to a metal bowl. To avoid this and make sure 
that your pet has adequate water, check out the heated water bowls that we carry.
If temperatures are below freezing, it is very important to keep your core warm and this can be achieved by wearing additional layers. It is more difficult to change a room’s temperature than it is to change your body temperature. If you are worried about looking too bulky while wearing layers, check out our cold-weather clothing at the Buchheit retail stores. Some products can easily be worn under work clothes and are designed to wick away moisture while keeping you warm.
Try to stay warm this winter!
