Blizzard of 2015

Mom has been very busy with Junior Sheep lately and hasn't done much bloggging. However, with the storm the sheep have been staying at their own home and Mom hopes to get some pictures taken for us to post.

This was the shot she got Tuesday of Bailey as Dog Dad was trying to measure our snow count.

Mom wanted to get some pictures of Dog Dad making the race track for us, but she never got out back to get them. She was looking a bit like a snowman after helping him snow blow the front driveway. Our race track is a square around the yard he shovels and tries to keep it clean for us so we have a place to play and do the potty stuff. Yesterday we discovered the snow was soft and fluffy and that when we banged into the walls it was like hitting a pillow. That started a game where we started slamming each other into the walls. It was great fun. Not something we can do with the usual ice walls we get.

It Snowed!

You know we love our snow cookies. We even get ice cubes in the summer we love the icy stuff so much. However, we were just starting to enjoy the joys of spring. The white stuff on the ground was unexpected. We had not placed an order. Our annual charity walks are just around the corner. We don't want Mom and Dad backing out because of weird weather. We'll admit we were perhaps a bit aggressive in our snow cookie prayers. However, we'd really like this white stuff to stop before it interferes with our Spring plans.

The First Snow Cookies of the Year

It snowed yesterday and we were treated to the first fresh snow cookies of the year. The best thing about snow cookies is Mom doesn't care how many we eat. We can run around the yard and scoop up as much as we want and she doesn't seem to worry about it ruining our dinner. That's what she says when we want to many of our other snacks.

We are still having wet weather, but it is more sleet than snow at this point.

This is our friend Mrs. Pumpkin. She has been on our porch for a while now. She had a brief trip indoors during the hurricane, but moved outside afterwards as we missed having her out there. Mom and Dad seem to think she will be traveling some time before Thanksgiving. We will miss her as we have spent hours sunning ourselves next to her.

Sheltie Snow Dance Rewarded

I thought we were making real progress towards spring. The dogs seemed resigned and even enjoying the chance to play outdoors in the grass. Then it snowed yesterday and the dogs could not get enough. I hope that this will be the last of their snow cookies.

I was actually hoping we the last of the snow would melt and we could get outside to work in the gardens. I was planning to take pictures of our crocuses and other perennials emerging. I was also hoping to get the vegetable gardens ready for our spring planting.

Spring planting will have to wait as the dogs get another chance to enjoy the snow.

Pictures may not be used without permission.

Holding on to Winter

I need to get some pictures of our glaciers receding in the back yard. The porch is now clear. We even have retrieved some of the Christmas decorations that have not been in view since before Christmas. Others are still hoping to be unburied soon.

Katy and Bailey saw the last of their snow beach leave the porch last weekend during the rainstorm and two sadder dogs I had not thought to see. Bailey usually looks forward to the spring. He is not a fan of melting snow and prefers the green ground to run on. However, this snow pack was original in that it was high, it was hard, and it lasted a long time. The height allowed him access to sites, sounds, and smells he has not had before. He could almost see glimpses of the dog next door he has so longed to meet. He had better scents of him than ever before. The squirrel in the low hanging branches were more afraid then ever before as the top of the fence was not quite so out of reach to a quick moving Sheltie as before. Not that we were in danger of a fence breach, but for the first time Bailey has had glimpses of the other side and he liked that sensation. Losing his advantage has not pleased him.

We do not believe Katy had known much of an outdoor life prior to her foster experience. She loved the snow. However, this melting slushy mess is not scoring any points. The mud and water have even less appeal to our resident princess. She wants her ice pack back.

I do think they both will be happy when spring brings out the grass and owners willing to play outdoors more frequently. It is this awkward time of change frustrates them. I think they would prefer a theatrical set change. Lights down, ice pack gone, lights up and a nice green lawn ready for spring and summer play. Unfortunately, not the way Mother Nature works in New England.