We are in the middle of a bitter cold snap and yesterday it never got above about 5 degrees. Ella only got in one good walk yesterday and only produced poo once (2 or 3 is the norm). She will hold it in if the weather is bad enough, but eventually it will turn to diarrhea so I make an effort to get her to do her business if at all possible.
It is even colder today. It was -22 this morning with no real hope of it getting above zero today. I took Ella out and she peed within a minute and turned tail to get back into the house. I coerced her to walk just a minute or two. I could see her little sphincter tighten up and knew she would produce quickly. (Basenji owners, you know what I am talking about!). She pulled on the leash and let out a cry and hopped around on 3 paws for a moment. I felt terrible but then she started her patented spinning around and squated in the snow. Sucess!
You would think she had just won Crufts with all the praise she got for this accomplishment. I don't know whether to laugh or cry that this is what my life has come to.