Here's a headliner: I woke Henry this morning! I waited for him to nudge me out of "sleep," but he was snoring away in his bed at 6:45. I sat up, wondering if my movement would wake him and it did: he came to attention and ambled over, as if to ask -- did I really oversleep?
It's below freezing, but just barely. Still, I know that the temperature will be dropping throughout the day. By nighttime we will be hitting record lows for early December. Readings of -3F/-16C are expected. That's January stuff! I wish Henry's warm jacket (which I exchanged for a smaller size) would come. But for today, he's fine without anything.
Yes, Henry is in a joyful, playful mood!
And hungry too. His usual voracious appetite seems stronger than ever. My pup is insatiable!
(Is it couch time yet?)
In the late morning, I drop Henry off at daycare and come back to attack the porch screen door. You may recall that it is iced in at the bottom. Impossible to open. And I want to put out a bird feeder!
I use the hair dryer on it full force. And still it will not budge. Of course it wont -- there's ice on the track to which it should be sliding. I reach over as much as I can and continue blowing. The door opens a little, but not enough to squeeze myself through it. I continue blowing, now from the outside. Melting snow and ice rain down on me from above (my open door is letting the heat escape). I'm wondering if I can get electrocuted by all that water coming down on me, on the hair dryer. Just one more minute, let me just try one short minute. I mean, it would be weird to die on a balcony holding a hair dryer. Electrocuted then frozen solid in the Arctic blast. Eventually found, when no one claimed Henry from day care. And then come the questions -- what was she doing, drying her hair outside?
Okay, I should stop. I give one final shove and bingo! The screen door is freed.
I put out the cylinder of seeds first. I want to see if birds will come here before I unpack the lovely bird feeder. But how do you tell them you've got food anyway? I search for answers on the internet. And I learn something about feeders on balconies: do not place them too close to the window. You don't want the birds to kill themselves on their lunch hour. And not so as to throw down bird poop on your neighbor's balcony. Too, you should check with your landlord. Oops.
I need to phrase the question carefully: I have some clean, shell-free birdseed. Can I put a bit out on the balcony?
Of course, you should also keep your balcony tidy, but I'm not worried: I'm not expecting a gaggle of geese here. Just the occasional bird. And here's the next problem: how exactly did I imagine I'd attach the feeder to the rail?
Off I go in search of a clamp and a rod from which to hang the food.
And I'm thinking -- these projects always seem so easy (and inexpensive) in their initial stages. By the time you're done, you start wondering if you really are a bit nuts. But, here we go -- the cylinder of feed is up. The clerk at Wild Birds Unlimited swore that even on her fifth floor, the birds easily find the feeder. So I'm set. If you build it they will come, right?
To have spent so much time on this, when I have Christmas gifts to take care of (and more mundane chores on my to do list) is ridiculously indulgent. Yes, very much so. And it feels great!
I pick up Henry earlier than usual. I want some time with him before we have to head back to his 7:30 training class.
At home, he goes straight for the doggie advent calendar.
Oh no, it's another big sugar coated doggie cookie! People! Too much sugar! Of course, Henry loves it. And he loves the cardboard calendar from where it came. I put it away (much to his disappointment) and settle in to do my puzzle. All about snowmen today.
And after dinner -- his, then mine -- we set out for dog training class.
(ready for class to begin)
We were supposed to work over the week on our dogs walking by our side. That's all fine and well if the weather is agreeable. Right now, you want your dog to hit the snow piles, where he needs to find his favorite spot. Walking by my side? Another time. And the lie down command? Henry is not interested ever in lying down on command, even if it means a treat awaits. Only on the couch, on my lap please. So, two homework assignments -- not done. But, we're getting very very good at sit, come, touch, stay, watch me, hang back! Not all at once of course. And tonight, we learn "leave it" and "offered attention." This last one isn't really a command, it's teaching your dog to pay attention to you -- where you are, what you are doing -- at all times. Well now, Henry had mastered that one the minute he first walked into the apartment with me back on October 19th. He is always keenly aware of my whereabouts and looks to me for I dont know -- guidance? Instruction? Love? -- all the time.
We come home late. The temp has dropped precipitously. Henry can't keep his feet in the snow for long. What a winter we're having! Early and fierce. But hey! The birds now have food on my balcony. I'll let you know when the first bird figures that out, and makes an appearance.
with so much love...
