Let Them Get Dirty: Spring, Dogs, and the Joy of Coming Back to Life
Spring in Muskoka doesn’t tiptoe in. It bursts, melts, and gushes. The snow and ice starts melting, leaving trails of muck and light in its wake. Perennials and trees wake up. Streams swell. Birds return with their usual commentary. And under it all, something quiet and essential begins to stir, not just in the forest, but in our dogs too.
After the stillness and structure of winter, spring is pure animal energy. The thaw cracks something open. We see it in the way the dogs run wilder, wiggling, ears-back, full-throttle zoomies through melting fields. We see it in the way they plunge into cold puddles or roll ecstatically in the first patches of sun-warmed earth. They don’t mind the mud. They crave it. It's like they’ve remembered something ancestral, something vital: that to be a dog is to be of the earth.
We talk a lot about enrichment and stimulation, which is of course essential, but sometimes what a dog needs most is a bit of mess. Not a chew toy or puzzle feeder, but a proper silly springtime mess. A muddy belly, wet ears, and the freedom to dig a hole just for the joy of it. Here, in the sweet chaos of spring, they come back to themselves just like we do. The stiffness of winter falls away. Movement returns. Curiosity takes over. They sniff longer. Chase harder. Sleep deeper as the sun sets later.
We’ve watched so many dogs come alive in this season. Nervous pups suddenly darting into the playgroup with a new bounce in their step. Old-timers basking in sun patches like they’ve earned it (and they have). Sleepy dogs who start to roll, just once, then again, and again, until their whole body says yes to the moment. Spring invites them gently, insistently, back into their instincts. And when we let them follow that call, they bloom in ways we didn’t know they needed.
Of course, like every other season, spring comes with its own quirks. It’s not all sunshine and frolic. There’s the muck, the bugs, the allergies. But those are small prices to pay for the joy of watching a dog rewild themselves.
So, if you’re embracing the season with your pup, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Mud is part of the magic. Don’t fight it. Set up a little towel station by the door. Keep your expectations low and your heart open. Dirty floors are temporary, and happy dogs last.
Ticks are back! Our clients use flea and tick prevention, and now that it’s warming up, be sure to ask your vet about the best option for your dog. We’re pretty grateful (knock on wood) that in all our years, we’ve never had a tick on any of our guests, pet or human, not once!
Spring allergies are real. If your dog starts licking, sneezing, or scratching more than usual, it could be pollen, mold, or other seasonal changes. A rinse after walks, or a chat with your vet, can go a long way.
At Happy Tails Pet Resort, we lean into it. We let them run and splash and dig. Our rooms have heated floors and perforated rubber tiles that let dirt and water drain away, so dogs can puddle jump and roll in the mud but never have to sleep in it. We know the dirt washes off, but the joy sticks around. Spring is here and the dogs are ready. Are you?
With muddy paws and happy hearts,
The Happy Tails Team
P.S. – If your dog needs a proper spring adventure, keep your eyes peeled. Our annual springtime package sale is coming soon!