Now that it has snowed multiple feet in the last weeks, the view out back has new interesting features. No longer are there rabbit hop marks or duck waddling marks in the snow, showing where animals have traveled to the neighbor's yard to get food she puts out. Now there are deer trails coming from the park across the street and heading toward that neighbor's yard.
Walking the dog has become a challenge! Although they have plowed the path around the small lake across the street, walking the dog there gets harder and harder as the snow deepens. When it was only a foot deep, it wasn't so bad. The resident dog, Lewis, who barkingly challenges all dogs (and animals) he encounters, needs to be pulled aside as one of them approaches.
But now that the hills of snow beside the path are over four feet, I have to be prepared. I wear my boots, reinforced by metal cleats, a large plastic bag or three to collect excrement, and a smaller dog treat bag, sunglasses, my balaclava...But lately I have considered carrying a bagful of tennis balls to throw at opposing dogs, in the hope that they will chase them. Or maybe a circular blanket with spring loaded hem to throw over my dog? Somebody has suggested snowshoes, which, with the touch of a button, would spring ready to don.
No? Instead I rely on my bagful of dog treats, which I whip out at the first hint of dogs approaching. Then, while Lewis munches those, the alien dog can slip by us, at least, that's the plan.
But friendly dog owners usually try to start up a conversation, and Lewis charges, winds his leash around my legs, while the other owner's pets jauntily clad in tartan coats especially made for chihuahuas, run, frightened, thus wrapping their leashes around that owner's legs.
So, the only alternative is to leap, leaden footed, into the nearest snow bank, and fall in an embarrassing heap into the snow.
After I succeed in getting up, my fingers freezing, I still have to stop from time to time tfo pick up my dog's debris. Tying the plastic bag is now no longer possible, so I plop the poop into a large supermarket bag. Good thing I brought lots.Finally, chilled to the bone and festooned with plastic bags, I find I have circumnavigated the pond, with the path to the street close enough to get to before nightfall.
Bfut now that it's growing dark, I can see something with antlers approaching! I leap into the snowbank.
