help with walking my dog in the winter/cold?

i live in minnesota and its pretty cold.i have a lab/APBT mix
he doesn’t like the cold at all and he is terrified of snow for some reason.He is a very large and active dog so we ca’t have him inside all winter or else he will get too hyper
he doesn’t like wearing clothes too much, but do you think a sweater would be good for him?
and how would i get him used to it?
or any other solutions to walking him out in the cold?

thanks
and happy holidays:)

Is the prologue of my Christmas story any good?

I’m a thirteen year old girl writing a Christmas love story. I just finished the prologue. Is it any good? Would you read it?

Prolougue

“I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses.”
– Taylor Caldwell

I was brought up to know that Christmas was a family time. The first flakes of snow that fall in early November. The rich scent of warming apple pie. The laughter of children running around in red and green knit sweaters, a large dog with a bell collar galloping behind them. These were acts of love, warmth, and togetherness. Of family.

Christmas was always a word that brought a gleam to my blue eyes. While other families focused on what they recieved, I looked forward to “Classic Christmas.” We would go to church and sing Silent Night and Go Tell It On The Mountain. The adults would sit through an hour long finger puppet show of the nativity scene. We would go caroling, and donate food and clothing to less fortunate. And then, we would sit around the Christmas tree, sparkling with lights, bulbs, and homeade decorations, and tell Christmas stories while drinking hot chocolate. Sure, we got gifts, but the difference was, they weren’t the highlight of our holiday season.

I guess that’s why I was so upset. It killed me that I wasn’t going to be home for Christmas. That, and the horrible event that had happened the summer before. The summer when cancer had mixed into my life, rearing it’s ugly head just long enough to break my heart. I can still clearly picture my editor, in his sleek black suit and maroon tie, announcing that I had to go and write a column in New York.

” Jessica, this is a huge opprontunity for you! Professional actors are puting on “A Christmas Carol” in the New York City Theatre! Tickets are extremely hard to come by, but we’ve managed to pick up 2. You can invite a friend to go with you. I expect a full page on it.”

” When do I leave?” I’d asked, eager to be undertaking such a prestigious project.

” Well, your plane leaves at 9:00 AM on the 23rd. That’ll give you plenty of time to settle in to your hotel room before the play the next night.” He’d obliviously flipped through papers in his file.

“Wait! What? I’m not going to be home for Christmas?” My disbelief and disapointment, I knew, had been evident, etched onto my face.

” Jessica,” he’d said softly, dropping his professional tone, guesturing for me to sit down. “Ever since Tim died you’ve been clinging to your family. He’s gone, Jessica, and you need to learn to be your own person again. This will be good for you. You haven’t been out of your comfort zone in months, and a little adventure, a little fun, will help with that.”

He’d handed me the tickets, and, wiping the tears from my watery eyes, I’d walked out of his office. I had been so sure that nothing good would come out of this trip. I was wrong, but, at the time, I was oblivious to that fact. I’d gone home and cried for hours, and after I was through with my episode of self pity, I’d slipped back into the shadows, more watching my life go by then actually living it. I was so unaware of what was to come.

Am i spoiled 13-year-old girl?

does it sound like i’m spoiled? my friend says i am.
im a 13 yr old girl and have
-a cell phone
-an iPod touch
-a DS
-a large house
-a dog
-wear clothes like hollister, abercrombie, aeropostale
-have been on a cruise
-have been to Las Vegas
-this spring break for vacation my family and i went to Italy
-have been to 3 concerts

i’m a really nice person and never brag about what i have. am i spoiled?

How Much $Money$ Would i Make If…..?

Okay, i think i am opening a dog walking service in the summer… but i dont know if i want to …because im not good with walking dogs and i would charge 8 dollars per large dog 2 dollars small dogs and 4 dollars per med. sized Dogs

I also can clean my yard and house wotch my mom would pay me 50 dollars per the whole house and belive me …my house is pretty dirty the whole house inclueds laundry and dishes and cleaning and feeding my dogs and cat… i would make 20 dollars for my dishes,pets and laundry

So Witch Makes me MORE?
and BTW im just making money for stuff to buy clothes and stuff like that …

Looking for a large guard dog that doesn’t shed…?

I don’t have any allergies to dogs that shed, but I’m very clean and I don’t like hair on my clothes, furniture or around my house. I know all dogs shed, but I’m looking for a dog that doesn’t shed as much, or isn’t as noticable. Also, a large dog whose very protective.

I have thought about Akitas, Chows, Dobermans, Rottweilers, German Shepherds. Suggestions? How much do those dog shed?
but, who are also calm & friendly!