Today was the ideal winter day. One foot of soft, pure-white snow. Forty degrees. Sunshine and blue skies. Not a cloud in sight. I grabbed my snowshoes, suited-up the dogs in their orange hunting vests, and out we headed to the back field.
Lily raced ahead of the pack. King on her heels. James and Annabelle played follow-the-leader with me at the head of the line-up as my snowshoes blazed their trail. One giant step forward, then another, James and Annie packing down my trail from behind. Lily and King raced around us in giant circles, way out to the back field, then swooping back in to us.
The dogs get very excited when they see me take my snowshoes off the wall where they hang on our porch. This signals outdoor fun for all. I enjoy the exercise I get trekking through the deep snow. It gives the dogs a much-needed work-out, since walking on the roads these past few days has been impossible.
Suddenly, the racing stopped, my followers dropped off, and I noticed the pack huddled at the door. They all looked out at me, still trekking around. They gave me that look: Time to head in. Off with the snowshoes and hunting vests. All were content to nap on their beds by the fire the rest of the afternoon while I resumed my work. More snowshoe fun tomorrow, as high temperatures are predicted. Maybe some walks on the road, too.