Little Blizzard

It didn't officially reach blizzard conditions here in New York, but it sure did feel like one!  I had to wake up at 6AM to trudge down three blocks and deliver heavy Sunday newspapers to 100 waiting customers with my sister.  Normally, we get some help from our mother, with the car, but because of how bad the side roads were, we did a lot more walking than usual in a foot of snow, sometimes two or three feet in places that the wind had distorted it.  If I may be honest, it was dreadful - better than what I expected, since many people had already begun cleaning their properties, but still very cold, wet, and tedious work. Let's just hope that the Christmas tips this year make it worth it.

It didn't end there - we did a lot of clean up outside after that.  I dug out around my car, fearful that the snow plows would pile up on the snow already there and totally block me in.  The three of us -  mom, sis, and me - cleaned the walkways, the driveway, and the sidewalk, too. It was a lot of work!  

Marge got not one, but TWO snowy walks today in the field, in addition to a play session outside in the yard.

On the first walk, we plummeted into a field of total whiteness.  After initially getting upset over the huge bank she had to climb, thanks to the snow plows, we tumbled (literally) into solitude and a heck of a lot of snow.  She ran around like a kid at Christmastime on her 50' line.

She began to adopt the "hop like a bunny" strategy, an action I see performed often by dogs who frequently see snow.  She looked absolutely adorable doing it.

True to my nature as an obsessive and impulsive picture taker of all things dog, here is a short video of the fun:

We didn't stay out too long - if we were out ten minutes, it was a lot. Walking through snow is hard work! Marge makes it look easy here, but the reality was that she went home and passed out in her crate for at least a half an hour, not even budging when I left the room.

One more snow-covered shot. Marge looks like Harry Potter with the obnoxious trail of snow scarring her forehead.

After some recuperation, we headed out into the yard.  The plan was for my sister and I to build a snow man, but the snow was very light and fluffy, so it didn't stick together well.  Maybe we'll finish it tomorrow.

Marge made trenches with her body by mozying back and forth.  

In one of the clearer areas, she performed her "up" trick instead of the "beg" that I asked for. I don't think she wanted to sit in the snow.

Then looked up at me with the face that I'll never get sick of for as long as I live.

She stood behind the wind drifts, careful not to send herself crashing in to them.  I guess that, although she likes snow, she doesn't like really really high snow.  I won't have a Bailey on my hands here any time soon.

In the wake of our failed snowman, this snow drift became a makeshift igloo where Marge crawled in to to retrieve a couple of treats. The picture doesn't show it well, but it was a couple of feet long underneath the snow! Good thing it didn't fall on her.

A few laps around the yard later, we called it quits and headed inside...

...Only to go back out, on our second walk of the day! It took us to one of our favorite places. I don't know how I made it there in snow-caked pajama pant and unsatisfactory boots, but yes, we walked down to the beach.

Marge was happy to hit the familiar sand, but was slightly bothered by the sounds of a loud and large pack of kids at the other end of the beach.


Still, she was willing to navigate around the snow and rocks with me (it's hard knowing where to step when everything is covered in white!) to take in the gorgeous view.

We didn't stay long, just hung out enough time to take a breather from wading in the knee-deep snow.  Shortly after this picture was taken, an odd but strong wave sputtered over the rocks in little squirts and nearly got Marge wet, sending her running off far away out of its reach (as far as the 20' would allow, anyway).

The return trip beckoned, and it was time to head home. Marge began to joyfully hop over the mounds of snow again, but I opted to just watch and laugh and smile instead of take many photos. She was having a grand time.

Once off of the beach, we clung to the guard rails near the field and connected road, where nature had laid out a perfect and easy walkway for us. Snow drifts can be good, sometimes!

Suffice to say, I am POOPED. Marge will not be getting her night walk today; I'm tired, cold, and even after a hot shower, still feel the tingly feeling of snow of my feet and legs. Marge is curled up in a corner, snoozing the evening away. I can't blame her - and let's hope her nap lasts for a few more hours!