winter garden snacks

We have been wondering what our dog, Charlie has been up to when outside - because whenever we call him back inside - he comes racing around from our sideyard, sometimes with very dirty/muddy paws and beard (he's half schnauzer). Well the other day, when we called him inside, he came running into the house with a big CARROT in his mouth!! AH-HA! Figured it out...he's been eating leftover carrots from last year's garden crop...I guess he may as well eat them!! Someone may as well benefit from our garden! Not sure if I would eat any leftover carrots at this point...??? Are you supposed to eat garden foods that have been in below freezing dirt for the past couple months?! Not sure...but I'm probably not going to find out, either. So - more power to you, Charles! Enjoy it now, because this spring, we're putting up a fence to keep you out! :(