Winter Wonderland

Every once in a while, we in the Pacific Northwest are hit with a decent snow shower. The past few years we've had small hits of snow, which didn't amount to anything but one or two days of inconvenience. Hence, the dogs never really grew used to slogging their bodies through the white stuff - except Skally; she's known a few episodes in her many years on this earth, and she rises to the challenges they've brought. But not Rusty!
Rusty seemed interested in the snow. At first. Our first walk, Thursday afternoon (as a teacher, we were let out early when the first winds and flakes began to tumble about us - with the ice on the roads, it was a good call), all four pooches were eager to venture out in the wind and blowing snow. It wasn't half bad. We had already been out in the morning, and it was quite frigid - to the point my fingers were aching.
We had to keep stopping, every two blocks, or so, as Rusty was collecting iceballs in his paws. This was a note I made - chapstick or vaseline on his paws before walking! But we managed to get around just fine. We watched the neighborhood children sled down the hills of the schoolyard below us, and the four romped about enjoying the weather. In fact, they were more energetic that day than they had been previously on walks or in the park.
That night brought more snow, which meant another snow day at school. The pups liked this. So, we went out, again, in the morning - but even though he had the lubrication on his paws, Rusty was not very willing to venture out. In fact, for a whole block - going down our hammerhead to the street - he pulled back as hard as he could. He seemed to be asking me, "Why are you torturing me, Pops? What did I do to deserve such punishment????!!!!" Eventually, though, he came round, reluctantly. He wasn't even much willing to go out in the yard to take care of his "matters". It was as though I had to pull his teeth! He obviously doesn't like the snow much!
So, Friday came and went, with a couple of walks. Then came Saturday. Ice. I took them early morning for a walk, which was the same - Rusty not very willing, and the others slogging their way through the mounds of snow that had piled up on the street (on our hammerhead of 6 homes, 1 is a vacation house, two are bank owned and empty, and the two at the far end, closer to the street, are occupied) from lack of anyone driving or using them. Poor Sammy was up to his neck when he went through the snow. Skally and Simon just dragged their feet through, and Rusty kept glaring at me with pitiful eyes.
Later, that same evening, the ice had come to stay, putting a glisten and crust on all the snow. Now, they slid upon the mounds, then "crunked" through it - making it much more impossible to navigate with any sort of grace (which all my dogs take quite seriously!). Skally was the only one who was determined to go anywhere - front or back yards, and she has bad hips - yet when she re-entered the house, she was tired, but her gait was much improved! Of course, Aspirin and Spunky Level II helped, as well.

So, I was not at all surprised this morning, when the pups, much more eager to do something with Pops, talked me into a walk - well, three of them did. Rusty remained out of it - until I got ready, then he chimed in!
It was quite difficult, at first. Rusty pulling from not wanting to go any further than the front walk of the house, and the others pulling and sliding down the hill. I, wearing my Yaktraks, kept stomping about everywhere to break up the ice and create a more navigale pathway for Rusty and the others, for when we returned. We finally made it to the road where it was clear.
We walked the streets, which were devoid of vehicles, save the ones parked and dripping icicles from lack of use the past few days. I wished we could be on the sidewalks, but they were too slick, or hand't been trod upon, so they would be quite difficult to use for the pups. I kept thinking they were going to be quite tired from all this exercise, and I was gladdened by such thoughts.

We discovered that under trees, the snow was devoid of ice. They liked these breaks. We did chance upon more used sidewalks, and used them, until we came to a part where someone had generously shoveled all the snow, clearing the way. But - - - it was coated with ice. Now, being the epitome of human nature, I decided to continue on, rather than make the dogs slog through the icy snow which was deep to the side of the street. But then saw that Rusty was sprawled out, immovable. Skally, too, had slipped, and was sliding her butt to the far end where she could get some traction. The other two were sliding, but fine.

I ended up pulling Rusty to the side, where there was some icy snow, breaking up the snow, and getting him some traction. From there, we moved back to the street, and continued on until we hit home. I was glaringly aware of Rusty's evil eye upon me the entire way.

Now, tucked away in home, sleeping in their own little niches, my pack has some dreams which, sadly, may never be shared....
But I can keep something of a chronicle, which may, in part, be something of their reveries....and my memories of them.