For outdoor cold weather activities I much prefer to do a lot of layering rather than relying on a single piece of gear. I back country ski and you don't want to allow yourself to sweat and freeze. I generally wear 4 plus layers. Wool long sleeve, synthetic mid layer, down puffy, 3 ply gortex shell. Depending on anticipated temps and conditions I might subtract layers or add some other wool or synthetic layers.

And then there is also the option of adding chemical heaters.

I have a friend who works as an Olympic sledding official (skeleton,luge, bobsled). She spends a lot of time standing around on ice in a non physical capacity, so she doesn't generate heat. She swears by battery powered heated jackets.

I really wish the article explained what the criticisms were. The differences between the two versions are lost on me. And there is way more diversity in either version than I experienced growing up there. I'm pretty sure I didn't meet a black person until I was in high school. There were probably a total of 6 POC at Mt. Ararat while I was there and they were mostly Navy brats.

I get that representation matters, especially in Maine since it is rife with casual racism. But Maine is super white, and I know that has changed in some parts of the state. But even Brunswick is still super white.

Bub must not have been an option.

Staffordshire and Heeler

Ya, most plans that I researched worked on a reimbursement plan. You had to pay the vet up front and then you would submit a claim for reimbursement later.

Be very careful to check exclusions and preexisting condition policies. A lot of coverage can be excluded under preexisting conditions if the insurance wasn't purchased as a puppy or kitten. I looked into getting insurance for my dog when he was about 6. But he had a history in medical file of stomach issues (he liked to eat a lot of "not food") so all stomach related issues were excluded. Which was mostly what I wanted it for.

I will definitely get insurance for my next puppy.

Can't say I have ever heard that one and I went to MMA. Literally a school full of Maine sailors, so I don't think there is much I haven't heard.