Until today, the snow in our back field had remained pristine, untouched by human or canine. So deep – an accumulation of about 30 inches – the dogs had no interest in playing outside. When they tried to head out, they sunk down in, unable to move.
Today was the perfect day – blue skies, lots of sunshine, warm temps – to strap on the snowshoes and head out to the back field. The dogs know, when the snowshoes are taken off the wall hanger, we’ll be heading out together for what we call the snowshoe game.
Annie and Lily are familiar with our snowshoe game. Our newcomer King, is not. Annie and Lily stood at the back corner of the barn to survey the lay-of-the-land. King looked a bit befuddled.
The behavior of the three was amusing to observe. Annie is a wise gal. After making her assessment, she decided to lay back by the corner of the barn and wait. Clearly, there was much work to be done, much tracking to be made, before running out for a frolic would be possible.
Lily is full of courage, a real trail blazer, in many respects. Off she went, full gallop ahead. Within a few leaps out into the deep, quick-sand-like white stuff, she made an about turn and dropped back in position behind me on the trail. In this position, she would help stomp down the trail made by my snowshoes, a technique she learned from our Trudi, our dear old girl who loved following behind me as we worked together to make tracks around the entire perimeter of the field.
King had followed Lily out, not knowing what lay ahead. The poor boy got stuck, sunken way down. He couldn’t move. By now, Lily and I were making our second pass up on the hillside. Lily now in the lead. We worked around to meet up with poor King stuck in place, worked tracks around him, and he fell in behind. He had figured out the snowshoe game, at first walking so close behind me that he was stepping on the backs of my snowshoes. I could see the wheels turning in his head, Hold back just a little farther. Hey, this is fun stuff!
It was fun and resulted in making it possible for the dogs to run around the field and get some much-needed exercise. I love the workout I get too. It felt so good to be out in that bright, fresh air. Suddenly, the three had had enough and made a beeline to the door. Time for cookies. Then, they all flopped, exhausted from the workout, in front of the fire.