Our severe winter here in western Massachusetts keeps on chugging along. The dogs simply don’t want to be outside in all the snow and cold. Most of the time, they’re content by the fire, but, these otherwise well-behaved canines, lately have been dreaming up mischievous things to do. Counter-surfing has become a favorite sport of theirs! We simply can’t leave anything edible (some things inedible, too) on the kitchen countertops.
One of my favorite ways to combat cabin fever and get outside for some fresh air is putting on my snowshoes and heading out to the back field with the dogs. I call it the snowshoe game, and they know what’s about to happen when they see the snowshoes come off the hook on the porch wall.
All three dogs form a line behind me and play follow-the-leader as I forge a path for them to run around the perimeter of the fenced-in field. They patiently follow as I prepare a perimeter path, diagonal paths, and, of course, a path up onto their hunting hill. Once the pathways have been cleared, they break away from our follow-the-leader formation and race wildly around, tongues hanging out, wide smiles on their snowy faces. I have as much fun as they do as I watch them freely moving at top speed.
Suddenly, like Canada geese in V formation, Annie heads the pack back home. Happily exercised, the three dogs head back to their favorite spots by the fire. And, I feel the kitchen countertops are safe – for a few hours anyway!