Like a walk through the country side living on a small farm is full of daily surprises, sometimes wonderful and amazing, and other times puzzling and sad. I hope you will walk with me as I live out my dream of living on this tiny farm. You will come to know the dogs, cats, Shetland sheep and chickens that make up this farm and what goes into keeping them happy and healthy. Come and join the journey with me.

Monday, December 01, 2008

Sunday Walk

Yesterday, it was cold and snowy almost all day. The ground was warm, so the snow didn't start to stick until evening, and we ended up getting about an inch and half of accumulation.

Sundays are traditionally 'go for a walk' days for the dogs, and I try and hold to that if at all possible. During the week, I seldom get to take them out, unless it's a quick prowl across the field. Even though they have a fenced yard and fenced property that they can run on with supervision, it's still exciting for them to 'go somewhere'.

Boone & Ariel leashed up and off we go!

Yesterday, Boone was revved up from the moment I got outside. He can be almost scary when he is that excited! Imagine 127 pounds of pure (klutzy) energy bouncing and running around and you get the idea.

After I got home from church, I changed clothes and bundled up to take the dogs out. Boone needed to burn off some energy! He gets to stay out in the yard three days a week (unsupervised)---it's complicated, but it has to do with the cats, and Sunday is one of his 'free' days. While I was gone he pulled the comforter off the dogs breezeway bed and dragged it out into the yard--and 'unstuffed' some of it. The whole time I'm in the house getting ready he is looking in the door..'please are we going for a walk now..huh,huh??'


Down the gravel road..

It was blowing snow (even though it didn't show up well in these photos!) and pretty cold, but we set off anyway. We went on the gravel road this time, instead of down the highway. Ariel gamely plodded along, but her heart just wasn't into the whole cold/snow blowing/walking idea. Very few leaves are left on the trees and it looked grey and stark out there, but it was an invigorating walk and I enjoyed it.

The starkness of this solitary tree caught my eye. You can still see some of the broken limbs from the ice storm two years ago.

After I got home, I carried in quite a few loads of wood, with the intention of holing up for the rest of the afternoon...with a good book perhaps. Boone thought we should play though, so between loads I'd throw one of his many toys and he'd run and capture it....over and over.

I was freezing and ready to head in by that time. When I looked back outside a few moments later, I saw Boone standing at the door--still with the 'wanna come out and play look' on his face! Silly guy. He seems to think the colder and snowier the better. I heard him later tearing around and around the house and breezeway as hard as he could, which sounds a bit like a freight train running through. Later I gave them a little snack and he finally seemed ready to take a snooze. Wish I had that energy.

Dontcha want to play??? Boone uses his 'winsome' face...

7 comments:

Sharrie said...

Yes, going "out" is different than the fenced yard. My Florida girl is enjoying the snow. Go figure.

Nancy K. said...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful dogs. As you know, I do so love Boone! And how is Ariel doing? I would think that the big galloot might be a bit overwhelming for your fragil, little girl.... ;-)

Michelle said...

Reminds me a bit of Brian....

Unknown said...

I love reading about Boone's antics!! I believe you had a birthday today that you failed to mention!!! Happy B-Day!

Gone2theDawgs said...

Don't you just love young dog energy! I finally had to go to stuffless beds! :)

Pat in east TN said...

Your description of Boone sounds just like my Wally! Yep, his energy level is outta sight and his favorite thing to do is run, run and run and run, so I stand back and let him get it out of his system! I love Boone's "Don't ya wanna play?" look. LOL How is Ariel doing?

Tammy said...

It takes so little to please the dogs. Everything is SO exciting! Nancy, Ariel is doing pretty good. She is very fragile so I have to make sure that Boone doesn't accidentally hurt her. He tries to be good, but is such a big goofball. Anyway, Ariel is eating really good, and potters about doing her doggie routine. She is about deaf, doesn't see well, but she compensates very well.
Tammy