Living

Following our mid-week storms (this has become a regular pattern this winter), we had 2 full days of sunshine and high 30’s. Just great – beautiful to look at (out here in the country), fun to be out in, and most important – perfect for the dogs.  They could spend time outside, breathing in the fresh air, playing with each other, and scouting around for those wild turkey invaders.

Not to last, of course… Saturday brought steady rain in the afternoon – with the temperature just right to make it freeze. Bad combination.  Not a good time to be on the road driving – and all the dogs wanted to do was go in-and-out only when necessary.  Once, again, we all adapted to the situation at hand.  The dogs have been entertained a lot by their marrow bones.  They should have well polished teeth as a result.  Entertainment and a health benefit all in one!

Trudi right behind me on my snowshoes

Sunday has arrived with highs in the 30’s again, partially sunny sky.  Some good melting going on. Hopefully, it will soon be off our roof tops.  The dogs were eager to get out for the snowshoe game…  a really fun outcome of this winter.  They get as excited when I pick up my snowshoes as they do when they see their leashes in my hand.  It gives me great pleasure to be out there in the field with them.  And, although I had dreaded having Trudi (age 15 yrs, 7 mos) go through a severe winter, the snowshoe game has made it possible for her to get around really well.  She’s a wise old girl….  just following behind me making tracks!  Kind of like following behind a plow in your car when the roads are snowcovered.

Wild turkeys camped out in the woods

When I let the dogs out this morning for their before breakfast run out in the back field…  just beyond the fencing, camped out in the woods, was a congregation of about 30 wild turkeys.  Hearing the side door open, they awkwardly took flight like an army of helicopters, massive wings propelling their large clumsy bodies into the air.  It made quite a spectacle.  I am always amazed at how such clunky creatures can move so rapidly.  Well, the dogs had a great time rushing about…  Annie racing to the back to see if they had headed to their usual headquarters in the way-back field.

It's a struggle for these clumsy creatures to navigate in the deep snow

After yesterday’s storm, out we went for the snowshoe game ritual… but, by midday today, yesterday’s tracks had disappeared and the dogs simply couldn’t get out the door.

Nothing stopping Annie from checking on those turkeys

I was able to push it open about 8 inches, just enough for Annie to shoot through and, as usual, she loped ahead like a gazelle to the back of the field to check on her flock of wild turkeys.  Trudi and James waited inside until preliminary tracks had been made.  Then, the game began once again.  We’re having so much fun – just going with it – that I think we’ll all miss our game when winter finally ends (not to worry – no end in sight – snow predicted for Saturday).

a Currier and Ives winter...

It truly was beautiful out today…  very quiet and peaceful.  I think I heard two cars pass by all day.  Not too cold; the ice storm wasn’t as severe as expected; the snow remained fluffy and cloud-like.  An old-fashioned winter – like a Currier and Ives picture.  The dogs are loving it!

Keeping it short was key… We went in to return a book.  The librarian greeted Annie, then we strolled through the different rooms of the library – going up and down the stacks.  Then, over to the DVD section to load up on movies in anticipation of the upcoming snow/ice storm.  All the time I was treating Annie with some of her favorite “high-powered” treats.  She was happy and relaxed.  She’s beginning to feel at home in this space.  The library is no longer one of those scary, new places.  Having made our selection, we checked out.  Annie was greeted by someone standing by the circulation desk.  Then out the door…  short and sweet…  we ended on a high note!  She hopped in the car and we headed home.  A good trip!

You just have to go with the flow…  the best of plans have been cancelled due to the weather. It’s been a crazy month.  Annie’s agility class didn’t run due to lack of sign-ups.  The instructor feels that folks weren’t motivated to take a class in this severe weather.  Just so happens that the library has been closed (when school is cancelled, the library is closed) on each of the Mondays Annie was going to go there visiting.  We couldn’t make the trek to visit James’ hospice patients last week due to an ice storm.  And, yesterday, the facility we planned to visit was closed to visitors due to illness.  I was all psyched about being asked to participate in a newly formed non-profit group dedicated to creating activities for dementia patients (therapy dogs are great with this population)….  that was to be last Friday – but a storm hit causing the meeting to be rescheduled for this coming Friday (can’t wait!).  On top of all this, the roads have been either too icy or slushy to walk the dogs!

my much-used snowshoes... a winter necessity... and lots of FUN!

I’ve learned to love my snowshoes! They’ve never before been used this much in a single winter.  The snowshoe game has become a regular activity for the dogs.  They’ve been great through it all.  We did reach some -13 below nights and mornings where they simply couldn’t be out for more then 10 minutes.

our Hillside Garden in August

Today I received an email notice about the Master Gardeners Spring Symposium to be held in mid-March. Last year, those of us in attendance were commenting on the wonderful, mild March we’d been having – and all were delighted to have been out already working in the garden.  Unheard of at that time of year.  Perhaps it’s wishful thinking on my part, but I immediately filled out the registration form and mailed it out… hoping that the warm weather we experienced last March will return again this year.  Nice to think thoughts of spring and planning the perennial garden!

Everything is subject to change, especially when winter has dealt us an ice storm… Yesterday started with a significant snowfall but, as predicted by our local weather forecaster, by noon this had changed to freezing rain.

Change in plans… After a week of rest and recuperation, I woke up planning to head into town to my real estate office.  However, the prediction of freezing rain and the thought of heading back home later in the day on icy country roads, stopped me in my tracks.  Ice is nothing to fool around with and it’s best to be off the road – if at all possible.  The dogs weren’t disappointed in my staying home rather than heading out!  They do love having their people around…  a bit spoiled!  This proved to be the right move – it was one of those occasions when the weather man was spot-on!  By 1:00 PM, we were encased in ice.  I literally skated down the driveway and across the road to pick up the newspaper and mail (in one trip – sans dogs).

Trees encased in ice... looks like a glass fairyland

Today it’s melting and refreezing and more staying put… The beautiful white cloudy-like snow of last week’s storm had become encrusted with a layer of ice that only Annabelle cared to venture out on.  I donned my snowshoes – and with Annie already out the door ahead of me – she and I went out to create tracks in the back field.  It took one full hour to complete the job…  I double tracked everything; also made necessary tracks in the small pen where the dogs go for quick outings late at night and in early morning.  While creating their runways, I realized that I, too, was getting a great workout – lifting my weighted feet up and down through the deep and heavy snow…  Good – I needed that!  Trudi and James were waiting for us at the door – and when we were done, both eagerly headed out.

Changing today’s plans meant cancelling visits to my two hospice patients with James. It saddens me to miss – the visits mean so much to them.  (With hospice, knowing their time is short makes visiting that much more important.)  But – at the end of each of my visits, when I tell my patients that James and I will see them next week, they each always say, Don’t come if the weather’s bad! And so, we didn’t.  I know they’ll each understand…  but I miss bringing them the happiness they receive from seeing, petting, and talking to James.

It’s been a week+ of rest and recovery time for me. All out-of-the-home working activities were cancelled.  We had a major snowstorm.  I read a lot.  And, my three dogs have been patient and comforting companions through it all.

During this time, my postings have been about Living with my Dogs, recounting our quiet time activities.  What strikes me the most in cases like this is my dogs’ innate ability to read the situation and react in the necessary manner.  Their adaptability truly amazes me.  They simply look to please the ones they love.

Annie and James waiting patiently for their cream cheese-stuffed marrow bones. Trudi is there, too, but over farther to the left.

Completely out of fresh/frozen marrow bones, I took those that were lying about, marrow completely devoured, and stuffed them with a small amount of fat free cream cheese.  Oh, they loved that!  And, those bones kept right on polishing their teeth.

We’re all anxious to get back to our normal routine this week. James will be back visiting his hospice patients on Wednesday, then our special patient Constance (as well as others) at the nursing home on Thursday.  Annie will be making her way over to the library to socialize and later this week start a training class.  I’ll be writing on all of these activities.  I’ve been missing all this – and so have the dogs – they love their work as much as I do.  Little 15+ year old Trudi will, of course, do what she likes to do these days:  trips to the mailbox by the road for the newspaper and mail; quick exercise runs in the back field;  and best of all, sleep by the fire on her cozy bed.  For me, Living and Working with Dogs is pure joy…

Looking through the window, the weather outside, in fact, looks quite delightful – but it’s the temperature that’s frightful! for my dogs, anyway…  and they’ll opt for the fireside when temperatures reach the low single digits, as they did today.

Annie creating her own paths...

We, of course, did our necessary outings several times today – we even did one quick snowshoe game in the back field.  Created some new paths; Annie made some offshoots of her own.  Then I noticed, she was way out there ahead of me and was holding up first a front leg, then a back leg, struggling in an attempt to lift all paws up out of the cold snow.  I looked back toward the house and Trudi and James had already made a beeline to the door.  Time to head in!

James heading home...

A dog’s ability to tolerate the cold, in great part, is breed-dependent.  You wouldn’t see a Huskie or Malamute rushing to the door.  And, my sister tells me that her Sheltie loves staying out for hours at a time.  On the other hand, a Greyhound needs to wear a coat when taken out in the cold and much prefers the comfort of the couch.  Let your dog be your guide… bottom line.

It makes me laugh and smile to just stand there and watch the threesome charge out the door and head to the back field…

Today, one day after the big storm, the sky was clear blue, the air cold and crisp, and the new fallen snow covered the ground like pure white, fluffy clouds.  It was time to head out on my snowshoes and make tracks for the dogs to run around on in the back field.  It’s a fun game we play together.  And – great exercise for all!

Snowshoe tracks prepared...

Trudi and Annie heading out on the tracks...

Full speed ahead, Annie sets out for the back field...

James exploring...

Game over, the gang is ready to head in...

We certainly are experiencing winter here in western Massachusetts this year!  It started snowing after midnight last night and is still coming down now at 4:30 PM.

I knew it would be a tough day for the dogs.  When the snow is really deep it’s hard for them to get beyond the door.  Shoveling pathways for them to go out and do their business is about all we can do at this point.  They made a quick about face on their first outing of the day at 6:00 AM.  Not only was the snow already deep but the winds were very strong.

English Setters are a great breed for getting away with little activity when necessary.  They are pretty content just being inside with their human family members.  But, when this happens, I really have to force the issue about getting them out for a little exercise.   Movement is especially important for our elderly Trudi (15 1/2 yrs).  If she goes for a long time just lying on her dog bed, she has a very hard time getting up.  We made it out to the mailbox for the newspaper in the morning and the mail later in the day.    But, they were very quick to give me the sign that they wanted back inside by the warm fire.

Then, suddenly, late-afternoon, while I was at work on the computer, all three came over – James gave me his famous nudge on my arm – they all looked at me, then looked at the door to go out.  So, out the side door and into our fenced backyard they went…  unfortunately, Trudi, being a little girl, sank in up to her chest and just couldn’t get moving.  She turned around and came in.  James and Annie sprang out the door with joy and leaped around the back acre and a half – springing up in the air and playing with each other.  This snow dance lasted about 10 minutes, then they were back at the door asking to come in.  And now – back to the cozy beds by the fire.