First Rhode Island winter is a hit

Simon and Sugi /Simon lichterMy roommate loves her first winter here in Rhode Island. Her name is Sugi, and she has Siberian blood running through her veins, making her nearly immune to the bitter cold of New England. She recently discovered the beautiful Lincoln Woods State Park, where she meets other people with their four-legged pals. Sometimes I can barely keep up with her as she explores the trails, always seeming to be in search of something grand.

On less adventurous days, I get pulled to Blackstone Boulevard. Sugi taught me that running isn’t just fun when it’s nice outside, but it can be exciting in the pouring rain and in the freezing snow, too. When my roommate unpacked her stuff and chose that special spot for her bed, she immediately wanted to relax at a spa. My first reaction was this girl was going to be really high-maintenance, but I quickly learned it was just that she wanted to look her best when meeting all the dogs in our neighborhood.

My friends suggested she try Pooches Pet Salon on the East Side. I relayed the message and joined her for the trip. I must admit, the spa was well worth the money. After a pedicure, shampoo and brush, she was looking radiant. Sugi strutted around with a bandana around her neck, turning the heads of those dogs she was so eager to meet. Before the snow came, after work we would go for a ride to Gano Dog Park to play with the other dogs and occasionally catch a glimpse of rowing teams practicing in the Seekonk River. The Cheeky Hound, a fashionable boutique on Hope Street, is where Sugi loves to grab a bite or get a beauty treatment. At first, Sugi was nervous about moving to Providence from her Boston home. From what I can observe though, the transition has been seamless. Rhode Island has all the bells and whistles of Boston in a less traffic-congested environment. When the snow melts and Sugi sheds her winter layers, you may catch her dipping her toes in the Atlantic or socializing at the many dog parks.

If your dog is having anxiety and missing meals over whether or not Rhode Island will be a good fit, just remember this story about Sugi. As Maimonides is famous for saying, “the risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision.”

SIMON LICHTER is the planning associate of the Living on the Edge Initiative and coordinator of Jboost.org  at the Jewish Alliance.