Spring Forward

Did you turn your clocks forward for DST?

I enjoyed the snow as did many of the dogs. Ellie Mae, the snow Bloodhound, kept me company each time I shoveled my driveway. Not only was I able to shovel it and de-ice my car, I drove on my road before it was plowed and on 177 when very icy. My car? A Mini Cooper. The small one. The driver? A woman who learned to drive in Minnesota with rear wheel drive cars and participated in driving clinics in Montana (SCCA - Sports Car Club of America & Porsche Club). We did fine with some sweat while shoveling and taking time when driving to work. Hope all you did, too!

Angel, one of the foster Dachshunds, scampered and explored her way around the snow and dog houses/crates placed in the yard. She had an impromptu faux igloo under which she has holes...

Angel, snow Dachshund, exploring a hole outside her "igloo"

As much as I enjoy snow and a second winter with decent snow and actual cold temperatures, I look forward to some melting but slowly - I live at the edge of a flood plain. The last year we had a true flood, Hoss Redbone Coonhound was here - he enjoyed the water in the field while my neighbor tied up his pontoon to my now no longer existing tree.

Hoss, Redbone Coonhound, enjoying the floodwaters 2011

So, you see, I don't want a repeat of any flooding - no one does. The snowpack up north is not as heavy as last year, so perhaps with a slow meltdown and gentle runoff, we'll avoid flooding. During 2011, I boarded the Coonhounds as they were disturbed by all the vehicles on the road by "their" house and voiced their displeasure - which didn't sit well with my already distressed neighbors nor myself. They did fine in boarding, though Hoss got out with the Beagle puppies once. He played well with them and then went back to his pen. Good boy.

I'm also ready to start walking and training dogs again on a more regular schedule. A good friend walks Ellie Mae with his Coonhound once a week, which she LOVES. We need to focus on leash training, sit, down, stay/wait, come, and leave it. Without the rescue dogs to prepare for adoption, I've been slacking off on the training.

Have a GREAT Sunday - get out and enjoy the sunshine!