Muddy Paws

The snow has finally melted.   Looking out back, I can see the grass and the patio.  The weather is chilly, rainy and still winter.  Our creek, which can be dry during the peak of summer, jumped the bridge due to large amounts of rain this last week. The creek has not flowed this heavily for at least a year.  Despite all the rain and winter, we have been given moments of relief with sunshine and mild temperatures.  I had a moment on one walk with the dogs of remembering a day in kindergarten.  My teacher was teaching us about the four seasons.  She discussed winter and spring.  I remember photographs of the seasons and how winter is snowy and cold.  Then suddenly everything begins to melt.  The rain begins to bring in the beautiful green spring and animals again begin to frolic about. 

Boots and paws squish into the muddy muck created by winter.  The sod is peeled away from the lawn with the slightest touch.  First season in the hollow, I was frightened of the damage.  My two big boys would run and slide destroying the lawn.  I figured no grass would survive.  Seasons have come and gone and is fine.  They can do some destruction and our natural lawn will recover on its own.  Overall, the muddy mess of boots and paws are hard to frown upon.  After a miserable winter of snow, ice and frigid temperatures, a muddy mess with mild temps seems like heaven.

I am not the only one smiling because of the relief in the weather.  The dogs are happy winter has slowly begun to fade.  The snow has melted, causing the earth to be exposed.  The smell of spring is tickling their noses.  Halle has always been overwhelmed, in spring, with the smells.  I enjoy watching the dogs walk, sniff and explore the ground that has been hidden from sight and nose, for months.

During our evening walks, I have been venturing more into to lower section of our woods.  This is enjoyable for all.  We cross the creek, truck through the woods.  Halle usually wanders off a bit into the woods.  This has been great for our whistle training practice.  A sharp blow of the whistle, Halle races back toward me expecting a treat.  Noodles and Cadet have also been improving on whistle training.  Langston seems to ignore the whistle.  He doesn’t need to come when called.  He never really ventures too far.  He patiently waits for all the silly dog games to end so a serious game of fetch can continue.

Training has been amazing this week, not just whistle training.  Noodle’s is beginning to down without a treat.  She has progressed with the crawl command, crawling about 3 feet.  She is healing without a lead and playing fetch.  Great progression this week led to a fun outing on Sunday.  Joshua and I wanted to take Langston out for the weekend.  He has not been able to work this week with us so we wanted to take him for a walk and a trip to the pet store.  We decided that Noodles could also benefit from a walk downtown and lunch outdoors at the Laughing Planet.  

We headed downtown and walked a few blocks to our lunch destination.  Langston sniffed and greeted people along the way.  I have forgotten how much he loves the city.  He has always enjoyed greeting and meeting people on walks.  Noodles on the other hand, had nothing to do with anyone.  She kept her focus on Joshua and I and ignored passer-bys and greeters.  Reaching our destination, we sat and quietly enjoyed our lunch, while the two dogs laid down and patiently waited for us to complete our meal.  After lunch we headed back to the van and off to the pet store, where Langston picked out a tug toy.

Spring may not be here, but it has fooled us.  My pack and I are excited about the warming temperatures and beginning to spend as much time outdoors as possible.  It has been a good week.