Last night it snowed. Gently, lightly, but still, it's cold enough for the snow to stick. Not thickly, not anything you could ski on, or even build a miniature snowman from, but enough to create that blanket that looks so pretty because it reminds you that winter has a beauty card all ready and waiting for you. (Not that it delivers it to your hand often, but still, you know it's there.)
The young family and their Goose celebrated. Kids, throwing jackets over the pajamas, ran outside with their dog and I got a text with a picture and a message -- "Goose's first snow!" Ah, the exuberance of childhood -- theirs and their dog's. (Goose is 1.5 years old and being a Houston dog, to their knowledge he had never before seen snow.)
I walked Henry last night just as the snow began to fall. None of it yet clung to the grass. I noticed that he seemed hesitant when approaching wet surfaces. Of course he would be! He's Henry.
But this morning, he got the full monty. The fields around us had that light layer of white stuff. For Henry, this most certainly is the first snow. Born around March 8th (as per vet's best guess) and found somewhere in Dallas, he definitely is not used to a Wisconsin weather pattern.
Did my vivacious dog jump and run with total abandon? Did he dance with exuberant joy?
He did not.
It is fair to say that as per his general approach to new things, he was hesitant, suspicious, unsure, watchful.
(the safer world of Autumnal leaves)
(good to know that this snow stuff hasn't obliterated squirrels from the landscape)
Not totally opposed, but nor does he find this snow stuff to be a thing of great possibilities and adventures. It is to be tolerated. Indeed, I noticed a little shiver.
And here I come around to the expense of having a dog. I knew that I needed funds for some basic equipment. A crate (which he refuses to enter). A collar and a leash. Pet registration. Food, a few toys, vet bills (I got pet insurance). But it has been so much more! Doggie day care by far heads the list of biggest money grabbers. It's not expensive really: a whole day of it costs about as much as an hour of babysitting for a child. But those days add up. Then come the leashes. This one is okay, but that one is better. Ditto collars. Great, until you find out that a harness would really help and a second hiking harness would help even more. Toys: he positively shreds anything shreddable and ignores the really tough stuff. Little bully sticks? He could go through them like the wind, so I limit it to one for long days, and then only when I am trying to do something in peace.
There's more. With the coming of cold weather, I googled if my dog should have a winter coat. Being raised in postwar Poland (I had a dog then), I always thought this was American nonsense. Dogs can manage cold weather! They are born with thick coats!
Turns out they're not always "born with thick coats," and indoor pooches can suffer terribly in very cold weather. Even in slightly cold weather. Henry was shivering this morning! So okay, doggie sweaters. And a jacket for those famous Arctic blasts. Then, when I heard it might rain later in the week I googled if a dog needs a rain coat. Here's the thing: if you have a small dog, you can get away with very short walks and all this stuff becomes a comfortable addition but not a necessity. With Henry, you cannot get away with short walks. This dog that, when running, very much looks like that picture of a Greyhound on the bus, needs plenty of exercise. Outdoors. Okay, I googled everyone's first choice rain coat. It's coming next week.
Not a day has gone by when I didn't realize that I could do with more treats, more clothing for him, more chewies. And don't even get me started on the tempting accessories. I try hard to resist bandanas, Santa hats, collars with mistletoe, but I am who I am: these things are so adorable and my Henry is so adorable! And not expensive! Still, I am very much aware of the fact that people in this country are going without food right now. Henry and I have been making donations daily to the food bank that my apartment building is sponsoring this month, but it is small comfort. Henry is a lucky pooch. After a rough start, his luck in life changed. I am so happy to do all I can for him. But he is just one animal. There are so many out there needing help.
Breakfast.
(How is it that I did not notice until now that my favorite store-bought granola is named after my dog?)
Oh Henry!
And now to rouse myself and get going. A brief post-breakfast walk first. In addition to the snow on the ground, it is a windy day out here, in south central Wisconsin! I try out Henry's sweater.
Henry trusts me so completely (really, who else is there in his life to shelter, feed and love him?) that putting on weird (to him) harnesses and doggie sweaters is easy.
And yes, he is interested in these graceful birds. The retriever in him! I tell my pup that sandhill cranes are off limits.
And now for out bigger outing: Ed comes over, we head out to the Prairie Morraine park.
Of course Henry loves that Park of Great Freedom! No sweater needed here. The humans huddle in their parkas, but the dogs work up a sweat! Within seconds, the suspicious snow is transformed for Henry into a Thing of Pleasure. To sniff, jump in and out of, and look fabulous against, what with his black coat!
He has a wonderful time meeting up with other dogs. (One of his favorites -- a three legged pooch who can certainly hold his own, even next to my galloping Greyhound. (Did you know that a sudden fast run in a dog is called the zoomies?) The owners here appear more responsible. Henry is relaxed. It's all so very beautiful!
While we are in this corner of the world, we stop over at Farm and Fleet. Ed needs a new winter coat and this is where he picks one up every few years when the old one wears out. While there, he loads up on cat food, chicken feed, chicken corn and a brick for the hens to nibble on in cold weather. I tell him he has feed for all the animals in his life except for Henry. We throw in a bag of chewies and some reward treats for Henry. As I learned, dogs are welcome in this store. The clerks give them nibbles (with your permission). It's a great opportunity to give Henry another shot at being indoors with lots of strangers.
I am the proudest of proud doggie-moms! Henry is quiet and gently friendly. A dog person stops to chat about his markings. I suggest some elements of a big dog, maybe a Doberman, but she disagrees, staying with the shelter's description of a retriever - lab mix. (We will see!) A guy who looks like he loves Farm&Fleet as much as Ed does comments on Henry's great beauty. Ed tells me -- Henry is a really well behaved dog. He's just perfect. I beam some more!
We come back to the Edge. Ed eats a lunch, I have my midday granola bar, Henry gets his chewie. My two boys nap, I sit back and smile.
Toward evening, but before the sun sets for the day, I take Henry to the nearby Penni Klein dog park. The one that has a nice long run and never too many dogs. I want to make sure my pup has his fill of movement, especially since this evening, he and I are going over to the young family's house: we've moved Sunday dinner there so both dogs can attend. (I'll cook here, eat there.)
Okay, Henry, let's have a good run so you wont get too wild on your first dinner visit!
Evening dinner time...
I must admit I worried some over this one. Henry and Goose are old buds, but their meetups thus far have mostly been at doggie daycare, where they are allowed to go wild. So how will a play date inside my daughter's house look?
Actually just fine!
(dogs and Sandpiper, in motion! the poor boy was trying hard to hold back two very strong dogs for the picture.)
I'd say Henry is the more food obsessed dog. I was on alert, in case he managed a swipe a piece of seafood, or even spaghetti out of someone's plate.
The two pooches got a little over-the-top toward the end. Like children who get overexcited and tired at the same time. But apart from that, they were both awesome.
As was everyone else!
Home now. Henry has had a very full day and I am immensely happy with the weekend. His weekend. His and mine. Oh, my dog!
with so much love...
