Little Dogs, woodland walks and the end of winter...

The snow is almost gone, little patches only left in the shadows of the trees, but soon even that will be gone. And the ice slowly disappearing from the soil. I've been moving a few things around as the soil has softened, made my plans for the garden and now just wait. When will my little broccoli's go out, my asparagus germinate and when will the sun shine? So many questions, and only time holds the answers. Patience grasshopper.....

We did go for a walk up a little dirt road that is used mainly by ATV traffic in the summer and snow mobiles in the winter. Some parts were a bit soft but dry enough to walk on until we came to a huge stretch of snow and mud. At that point we turned back but through it all, Max had the most wonderful time. He is the perfect dog to take on a walk. He'll run up ahead about forty feet, but is always tuned in to our whereabouts and returns immediately when called. We always keep an eye on the sky though when we go out with him, looking for eagles. What a horror that would be! If we spot one soaring high overhead, he gets scooped up immediately and then we have to listen to him crying to be put back down because he loves to run. But we love him more, enough to put up with the whining. As for Diesel, we're on the lookout for a sort of baby-sling but doggy sized so that we can take him out too. I know he isn't old or infirm but I'm telling you, he is so darn slow you would think he was both! A walk that should take half an hour normally, takes 45 minutes or more and the whole time he is hanging at the end of the leash behind you, so that it looks like you are dragging him down the street. And heaven forbid you take him onto ground rougher than the sidewalk because at the first bunch of grass or branch across the path, he is stuck like he has no idea how to deal with the difficulty. In the meantime, Max is jumping over it all like a little jack rabbit. As a matter of fact, that picture that Diesel is in, illustrates the maximum level of effort that he willingly puts out but only sometimes, maybe once a week. Notice that the activity takes place on the couch. That way if he is hit by a sudden wave of exhaustion, he can safely and comfortably collapse where he stands. So it's either a carrier of some sort for Diesel, or he'll get left home while Max gets out and we would just feel too bad. I think we're the stereotypical old people and their little spoiled dogs! How humiliating! Oh well, no excuses, we just love'em.