Oddly, Fasb seemed really stiff for a few days, then got better. Or, at least, is able to hide the symptoms from casual observation. I'm sure he feels a little creaky, but he's not having undue trouble with steps, getting up stiffly, etc. Back to his normal self.
At this stage, at least, he doesn't seem to have a lot of trouble with the cold. He still loves to go outside and play in the snow, eat snow, walk on the ice, etc., to the point that he gets irritable if I curtail his normal routine too much. <Shrug> I figure it's better to let him go out if he wants. Given his age and the level of arthritis, it's entirely possible he won't feel up to playing in the snow and taking longer walks next winter. I'm thinking it's better to let him do what he enjoys as long as he can. He'll let me know when he doesn't feel up to it.
I think he does feel a little worse in the winter, but it's not dramatic, most of the time. The dramatic differences tend to come when the weather pattern is in the process of changing. Once it turns cold/rains/snows/whatever, he fares better. He seems most creaky when, say, it drizzles a little off and on in advance of rain or snow. Then we notice more of a difference. Once it actually begins to rain or snow, he goes back to his normal self.
Odd.
