Remember my one red dancing shoe? I still have it, but Kristina bought me a new matching set, and I tried them out yesterday while snowshoeing.
You may think snowshoeing is a slow sport, and it is for humans, but I have a trick.
What goes up must come down, right?
We arrive at the crest of the hill and I chill out while Kristina heads down the other side. I wait until she’s at the bottom and I test my new boots a full speed. Here I go..
At the bottom, my feet are going so fast, I run right around Kristina and keep going.
Now I’ll save my red dancing boot for special occasions.
Did you know when humans go to work, they are very distracted? I went to my human’s office, and he stared at a screen, talked to people and did some other things I didn’t understand.
I have a bed, a water bowl and random strangers pet my head and gave me dog treats. That part was great.
I was good all day, really I was, but by four o’clock it was time to go outside. I don’t think my human can tell time, or he’d know it was time.
I put my head on his knee and with my eyes, I said to him, “Can you not see the sun shining? Let’s go for a walk. I’ll show you the park next door.”
January is here, and Kristina and I are hitting the nordic trails. The first problem…the crowds. Wag, Wag, Wag.
The second problem. Going up hill, Kristina is so slow I have to bury my head in the snow while I wait for her. Can’t say I like the ice chunks in my eyes, but it’s worth cooling my head.
Downhill is a rush, but Kristina says she’s not coordinated enough to take a photo when where going that fast. Maybe she should get a go pro 🙂
Woof Woof
P.S. if you haven’t read DESCENT orBLAZE yet, she’s getting some awesome reviews. Here’s her latest review for DESCENT by Author Judy Penz Sheluk:
A great debut mystery novel! The location of Stone Mountain Ski Resort in British Columbia is so well drawn, I could almost see my breath puff out in the cold, and the protagonist, Kalin Thompson, a rookie head of security, is entirely believable. Add to the mix a sexy boyfriend and an interesting cast of characters and you’ve got yourself a winning combination. Thoroughly enjoyable!
All dogs love to be read out loud to, so if you want to do some reading for your dog, you can get the books at:
The sun rises over the mountain peaks just as I hear a bark. You’d think it was early, but it’s already 10:30. We have short days up north, especially in-between the mountains.
The temp is well below zero. The groomers are getting the runs ready for skiing. And I’m minding my own business.
There it is again. A bark. I don’t smell any humans other than Kristina, so who’s out here alone?
“It’s me, Max,” my neighbour barks.
Clearly, he’s escaped again and is heading our way. Before Kristina can react and send him home, I run.
“I’m coming,” I bark. Kristina, with her humans legs, is slow. I slip around her before she can catch me and head his way.
Max’s owner yells for him to come.
“Ignore him,” I bark.
He glances once in the direction of home, once back at me, and says, “Let’s go.”
Kristina has her phone out. She’s going to tell on Max, but she’s smiling. I know she’ll let us play, and I love to play with Max.
Grooming day. I love it. I get an hour of my human’s undivided attention. She brushes, and snips and massages me.
She makes a mess, and every time she comments, “Before I finish grooming, there’s another mat.” Like she thinks I’m matting on purpose just to get her to brush me. Wouldn’t that be good?
But why is she cutting my hair when it -15 Celsius? Because if she doesn’t look what happens.
I spent the first 8 weeks of my life I’ve on a farm. There were kids, horses and other dogs. I thought life was grand until…
Darkness hovered. Rain soaked us. Thunder boomed. That should have been an indication life was about to change.
“What’s happening?” Piper barked.
“I don’t know,” I barked back. “Where do you think we’re going?”
Farley and Piper Discuss Options
Before we had a chance to answer our questions, we were scooped up and put in a car. After an hours drive, we sheltered in a bus stop and waited.
In the midst of howling wind and rain drops, my first human passed me to another human and abandoned me. I quivered and whined.
We’re loaded into a different car. The stress of the event had taken its toll. Even though Piper was the smallest dog I’d ever seen, we took comfort in each other. I put my leg around her and whispered, “Everything will be okay.”
Farley and Piper
Two hours later, we arrived at our destination. There were more people and one huge dog. My duty was to protect Piper, but look at the size of Murphy.
Piper Hiding Behind Farley
We held our ground. Murphy sniffed and pranced until we understood he was the boss – and seven years later, he still is.
But life was not all terrifying that day. Look how happy Kristina was to hold me for the first time.
And Max too. Max is my neighbour, and on a good day, Kristina brings him along for a walk. Notice – no leashes – the bears must be hibernating. Or Kristina is getting braver – ha ha.
“Farley,” Max barks. “Come here. I’ve got a squirrel.”
“Where’d he go?” I bark.
Max points at the tree with his nose. “He was here a second ago.”
I scramble close. “I can smell him. He’s not far.”
Max whips around the tree, but the squirrel isn’t on the other side. “Up! Go up.”
“Jump higher.” I’m a short fluff ball. Max is sleek and athletic, so maybe he can reach the chattering rodent.
“What if we catch him?”
“I don’t know,” Max barks. “I’ve never caught one.”
Anyone know what to do with a squirrel if you catch one? I think we need instructions.
I’m calling it my dancing shoe.
