Treetops glisten

The sun is out today so we will have one pretty snow day out of this recent snowfall. The dogs certainly preferred running around in the sunshine today and I did too. 

It's nice to be able to take everyone out together, even the puppies. They may annoy the big dogs but they need to learn the limits to their "puppy pass" and which dogs will tolerate them and those who will not. The Best Big Brother award goes to Bear, who is very tolerant of them and even seems to enjoy them. He's the youngest and is still the puppy among the older dogs so that makes some sense.

I'm hoping that much of the snow will melt away today, at least off of the roads, trees, and shrubs. Melting snow will leave us with a muddy mess, of course, but forecasted temperatures this week are low enough that the snow may stick around for a while, melting slowly and freeze drying over the coming days. But today was sure pretty.

Bear

Norman

I planted this willow oak when we first moved here.

The road in front of our house melted pretty quickly once the sun hit it.

Bailey

Two pups running after Bailey

This is great shot of Rogue on the move (in the center). Bailey is in hunting mode.

Bear, baby sitting

The pups will run down the trail ahead of me then stop, turn around, and come barreling back at me.

The pine trees seem bigger with snow on them.

Paisley, Elvis, and two puppies.

Norman is good with the puppies, but he has more important things to do.

He's happy to leave the puppy sitting duties to Bear.

Everyone making our way back up the hill along the fence.

Storm

Storm and Bailey

Storm in flight

Candace came out with us but I try to keep the puppies away from her.

She's good with them but they can knock her down.

Slush day

The predicted snow storm mostly produced slush at our place. It snowed overnight, but by the time I got up this morning the "snow" that was supposedly falling was more like mist or drizzle and what had accumulated on the ground was very wet and slushy. There is a thin coating of ice on some tree limbs but it's not heavy and fortunately there's no wind today so no damage so far and no power outage, thankfully.

The reactions to the snow among the dogs were mixed. Everyone did the morning rush outside charging the squirrel tree in the front yard. After I had half a cup of coffee I went out and fed everyone. The permanent residents were then content to come inside while fosters Norman and Bear were off running around the yard or the pasture. Bailey didn't act like she wanted to go back out even when I offered, probably because it was wet out there and she seems to have an aversion to water. What really surprised me though is that Paisley came back inside after eating, whereas most days I can't get her in at all, often until nighttime and only after every other dog is in. 

The puppies came out of their cozy home but stopped on the top step trying to figure out what this was before charging off into it. They quickly decided it was safe and fun and went running around the yard. They were very happy to discover that Bear and Norman were out with them and they ran after the two big dogs trying to play with them. 

Eventually Bear and Norman came back in the house and I got the puppies into the dog yard for a couple more hours of playtime before taking them back to their indoor space. 

Everyone has been out a couple more times throughout the day, but it's the fosters who seem most interested in playing in the slushy snow. 

Storm prep

I didn't do any of the things I should have done today to prepare for the winter storm that, as I'm writing this, is supposed to start within the next hour. Instead, I had puppy time in the pasture and the dog yard; I walked over six miles with Bailey; and I had two visiting Danes getting their exercise in the pasture. I did finally go to the store, mostly for diet Pepsi and a bag of ice. Doesn't sound like storm prep, does it? I guess we're living dangerously around here. I may regret it, but it was a good day. 

Bailey and Bear playing in the kitchen this morning.

I'm sorry I didn't get the whole dog in the picture, but I do like the expression on Rogue's face in this picture.

Storm

Elektra

Bailey, overlooking the Rivanna river.

On the trail

Doing the Rin-Tin-Tin pose on a boulder.

Different boulder, different pose

This was on Boulder Forest Trail, there are several photo opportunities.

6.23 miles

It was nice to see Great Danes in the pasture again.

Maddie

Maddie and Quinnie

Quinnie showing off her elegant long white glove.

The big dogs enjoyed it almost as much as the puppies.

The puppies are developing big dog barks, particularly Rogue, on the left.

I think Quinnie would have liked to play with them. Maddie wasn't so sure.