For the past few weeks now, I have really been looking forward to Spring. It’s not that I don’t enjoy being knee-deep in snow, and shoveling it is not only exercise, but is also a chance to meet the neighbors who went into hibernation once the temperature dropped below 0C/32F. It’s not that I don’t like silly temperatures (my definition of silly is anything below -20C/-4F). My problem is that when there are a few days in February of around 10C/50F, then I just want to say goodbye to a pretty bad display of winter weather, and say hello to Spring.
That just changed so Spring… there’s no rush. Just take your time! Why the change?
Ray just loves this weather (-10C/14F this morning)! I mentioned a few Posts ago how happy he seems to be when I go out with him around 7:45 – 8:00am. Part of his happiness is probably the fact that he can relieve himself in the garden, and then of course he knows very well that breakfast will be served as soon as we go back inside. His happiness does however seem to transcend those thoughts.
He is getting more and more playful when we go out! Once I have alerted any skunks, cats, or other creatures of our impending reclamation of the back garden, I go back to the house to let Ray out. He now comes charging down the five steps; makes a very tight high-speed left turn to avoid hitting the gate, and then rockets around the garden!ย After a few minutes, he has one leg elevated and… well you can probably guess the rest!
However, as soon as he has finished, he looks across at me. Typically, I then start leaping up and down and Ray then usually agrees that it is time to be silly. He gallops (yes… gallops) over to me and starts leaping around in circles, so I run and hide behind our large maple tree. There’s no fooling Ray, as he quickly finds me and starts leaping around once again.
If I run directly at him, he will charge off around the garden and eventually circle back to me where he then repeats his vertical take off exercises! He will suddenly stop, realize (I assume) that he won’t get his breakfast unless he goes back into the house, and either look at me for an indication that I am going to race him back… or simply take the initiative and run back on his own and wait for me on the back porch.
The thing is, not only do I have so much fun playing with him, but I am still in awe (after 4 years of living with him) when I see how effortlessly he moves his almost 80lbs around! All this appears to be triggeredย by the cool weather so… can we stall Spring? Please?
PS. I have a strong suspicion that Ray and I may be entertaining our neighbors as well as having fun!
Even with this ebb and flow of climate changes recently, I still like the typical and more seasonal going’s on. Guess I need to get used to a new paradigm.
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I agree. Having 4 Seasons is wonderful… but when they start getting mixed up???
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That is not cool weather. That is VERY COLD WEATHER! But well… If bounding and galloping is what makes Ray happy ๐ Probably building an appetite for breakfast, eh? ๐ It is high summer here – we just skipped spring altogether!
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Ah….. memories of Summer… of shorts and t-shirts… and high humidity. Of walking forest trails, with the trees protecting us from an unmerciful sun; Of paddling across rivers fully clothed; of smelling fresh cut grass; of just chilling in the back garden; of watching Ray stretched out in the shade of a bush, and me thinking “I am so glad now that I don’t have a thick and double fur coat!” Of pub outdoor patios where Ray is welcome, so Carol and I can go out to dinner some evenings. Summer! It’ll be here soon! Thanks Prajakta for triggering those thoughts! ๐
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Here’s a deal…we take any of your early spring, and give you what’s left of our winter.
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Go for it! Ray will love you for it… me? Not so much! ๐
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Ray will keep you young at heart !
I was smiling as I read about you 2 playing outside. Yes, being your neighbor would definitely provide entertainment! ๐
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๐
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LOL! I’m sure you are entertaining the neighbors! If people could overhear some of the conversations charlie and I have, they would likely lock me up in the looney bin! ๐
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I have often had similar thoughts (about me)! ๐
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lol!
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๐
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What a wonderful way to begin your day. BTW Kali gallops also, rather clumsily I would add. It’s pretty funny to see. She is not much of an athlete like Ray? For all the movement and energy expended she doesn’t get up much speed but looks adorable trying. Enjoy the cold weather and morning silliness with your best bud.
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Hi Michael. He certainly adds a smile to a new day! As for athletic ability? He is certainly very strong and powers his way around, but I am not so impressed with his stability! Perhaps he has sensed that balance is not one of my strong points either? ๐
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I hope we can stall Spring. The weather has been so nice around here for weeks, even the Cat has acted like she is on Catnip.
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It does rather change ones view of the weather doesn’t it! ๐
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Backyard chase and hide n seek are the funnest games ever!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Hi Cupcake. It’s so much fun isn’t it… and they couldn’t hide from us, even if their lives depended on it! BOL! BOL! Ray.
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I love hearing about your play with Ray. We are having the same kind of crazy weather this winter. We are suppose to get up to 60 or higher today.
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It really is the only time that Ray gets to play “his way”. We will not let him loose in a dog park because of the high “idiot factor” there, so he is leashed when he meets other dogs which obviously restrains things. Even with leashed meetings, we are occasionally a little concerned about identifying aggressive play from simple dominance and/or aggression, so even having a dog over to play with him is complicated.
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I love the high “idiot factor” at the park in your post! Ha! ๐
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It’s a matter of perspective of course, but that’s the way I see it!
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Your readers want to see a video of the two of your romping in the morning!
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I have thought about it, but it takes a third person to operate the camera… who is also awake and fully functioning at that time of a rather cold morning! ๐
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Haha, I can see why you would want the cool weather to stay! Good post!
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Thanks Tess. Ray really does impact my perspective on so many things… including the weather! ๐
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