Snout plowing

I heard on the news last night that by the early morning hours there would be snow on the ground.

Sure enough. I peaked out the bedroom window at 5:45AM and there was snow.

Not tons of snow but definitely measurable. And enough to make me grumble under my breath at the fact that the first real snowfall of the season had to happen on a Monday morning. Monday morning when I have garbage to take out and other miscellaneous Monday things to attend to besides my typical before-work sort of stuff. Oh, and I had to find my snow boots. And the snow brush for the car ... is it in the car? ... and grab the shovel out of the garage on my way back from taking out the garbage. Grumble, grumble. You know – everything is Just. So. Difficult. on a Monday morning.

So ten minutes behind schedule (really? just ten?) and it's time to take the beagles out for our early morning walk.

Finally, I had my chance to appreciate the falling snow. It was coming down at it's heaviest on our walk I think and the neighborhood was quiet and lovely and coated thick white. Diesel tugged ahead (he loves fresh snow). Marvin pranced his Lipizzaner stallion gait at my side looking up at me, blinking back the snow falling in his eyes. Snow doesn't deter him from looking-looking-staring expectantly up. He knows he's got me trained to toss him a treat when he prances so fancy.

We get to the yard with the long row of evergreen shrubs. This is a favorite area for snouting and peeing and eating inappropriate objects (bunny poo) and other beaglesque activities. This morning it was snout plowing. Marvin buried his snout in the snow and pushed the snow along in a pattern. He did it again and again which led me to believe it wasn't random, but perhaps he was on a scent. Tail starts wagging and Diesel's interest is peaked. Yep, there's something there.

I'm fascinated when they know something I don't and I watch and watch. Suddenly POP! out hops out a little voll (or mouse? too quick to tell) leaving the assumed safety of his below-snow burrow to high-tail it out of the beagles' reach to the cover of the hedgerow.

I'm left with two astounded hounds and a huge smile on my face. Okay, maybe snow on a Monday morning isn't so bad after all.

Fashion forward

Today is my most wonderful friend, Wendy's, birthday.

Happy birthday Wendoline!

Wendy isn't working today and as a special treat she's taking the beagles to the dog park this afternoon. It's the coldest day of the season so far. Being the grand dog aunt she is, Wendy decided to share her scarf.

Diesel thought is suited him fine and felt quite fashionable.


Marvin, it seems, thought something entirely different.

Oozing cute

I came across this today and it has to be one of my favorite beagle videos ever! (Video posted on YouTube by YaletownYuppie.)



When I get Diesel and Marvin in front of the computer, I'm not only going to have them listen to the Dughallmor Beagles' "Chase the Treat" video, but this one as well.

Let the howling and head tilts begin …

Lunchtime practice

I ran down to the basement when I was home for lunch today for something or another. These days the beagles join me for most of my visits downstairs because that's where good things happen.

We usually do a send-ahead jump ("Go Jump") or two while we're there, just to continue practice working away from me.

Today I was struck by the way the sunlight streaming through the basement window glowed behind Marvin's alert ears, as well as cast a long shadow in front of him.

…

Diesel flies onto the scene.

Marvin flies too.

A breath of fresh air

Election Day: November 4, 2008.
Unseasonably high temperature of 73° with sunny skies.

A perfect day for a perfect outcome. I don't know about you, but I feel refreshed, recharged, and inspired. I had no idea until last night that I would feel so emotional and overjoyed. Let us remain united. We are more similar than we are different.