The ups and downs of winter weather make following our established routines challenging, at best. Mostly, I suppose, it’s my problem. I really don’t like winter, the cold temperatures, and particularly the lack of sunshine. We have now had about two weeks with grey, overcast skies. Temperatures have gone from single digit numbers to 52 degrees. I will admit that the big snowstorm we had after Christmas that dumped over a foot of snow here in western Massachusetts was beautiful to look at. With the below freezing temps at that time, we didn’t get the rain and ice that usually follows our snowstorms, causing a mess and making travel by car or on foot unsafe. We enjoyed clear roads and a pristinely white snowscape. Beautiful to look at, but so cold that the dogs couldn’t be outside safely for more than 5-10 minutes. I didn’t need to set a timer. They went out to do their business and were back at the door asking to come in well before their time limit.
As working therapy dogs, they need regular training to keep them on top of their game. Our morning walks serve two purposes. I love taking one dog at a time for our special 2-mile walk together. It’s a time to build our relationship with one another. This special relationship serves us well when we’re out visiting as a therapy dog team. Alone together on the country road, I talk to my dogs. Sometimes I talk about our plans for the day. Lily may be heading over to the elementary school to listen to 1st and 2nd graders read books to her as a Bright Spot Reading Buddy or Violet may be going to visit the folks at the nursing home. Or, I talk with Annie or James as we walk leisurely down the road and back about plans to bathe and trim everyone that day. The dogs are good listeners. Once and a while, a runner or biker will pass me by, a smile on their face. What might they be thinking about this woman chatting away to her dog?! The walk is for pleasure and training at the same time. Together we practice the basic commands all therapy dogs must perform well: SIT, DOWN, STAY, COME, HEEL. These are interspersed with what I call pleasure walking or loose lead walking. My dogs know when they’re working as therapy dogs, they HEEL. When they’re not on the job, pleasure walking is in order.
With the ups and downs of winter weather, training and pleasure are hampered by conditions that are either too cold, too icy, too snowy, or too rainy. I marvel at my friends who tell me they’ve been out for a walk in the woods with their dog in a foot of snow or in the middle of a snowstorm. I’m sure my dogs would be up for this, but they’re stuck with me, their fair-weather companion! I have to say, they’re very good sports about my dislike of winter. James, my accommodating gentleman, is the ultimate go-with-the-flow guy. He’s as happy lying on the couch by the fire as he is walking and hiking outside.
As I sat working at my desk this afternoon, the grey sky suddenly broke and the sun came out. The sky was bright blue and it looked like an early springtime day. I shot up from my desk, grabbed a lead. Lily sprung to her feet when she saw the lead in my hands. Out the door we went to soak up the warmth and sunshine. It felt so good. Now, 6 hours later, the remaining snow is icing over as temperatures drop back into the 30’s. Winter is definitely still with us!