At the time of writing this post, there is still snow on the ground although the incoming rain and warmer temps will probably have melted it all by the time this post goes live.
In the meantime we have been enjoying our daily walks on the snowy terrain.And enjoying Mother Nature’s frosty designs on the foliage.And seeing signs of overnight carnage – not as enjoyable but this too is life. A bunny did not make it through the night.Bowser has started kicking the snow/soil after he does his business. This is something all dogs will do but is new for him. I read somewhere that it is a power move. Can anybody fill me in on why dogs do this?Why now Bowsie? Are you feeling very powerful these days?
Here’s something else new. We’ve had a hot tub installed on the property – a big endeavour as it also involved an electrical upgrade. But so worth it, especially after these chilly walks.
Enjoying the new family spa (especially fun when it is snowy out!). Bowser is completely uninterested.
This week we finally received a shit ton of some snow here on Vancouver Island.
A winter wonderland once more!Off we went en famille, to enjoy!Going off roading, Bowser-style.Racing with Daddy!Snow hair, don’t care!Snow makes for a good snack.Those snowy chaps mean a hosing off with warm water once Bowser gets back inside.
Stay tuned for next week when we will return to our regular programming (+5C, and rain). 😁
Here are some photos of Bowser, sleeping the sleep of a dog who cares not that he almost undid hours of knitting while chewing up one of my knitting tools….
Meanwhile, I can lay awake in the middle of night agonizing over something stupid I said or did 30 years ago.
I have decided once again, after a decades-long hiatus, to try my hand at sock knitting. My maternal Oma was a fabulous sock knitter and my dad refused to wear any socks not made by her – they were THAT good. I loved the ones she had made for me as well, when I was a teenager. Those socks are all long gone – naturally – except for one last very worn pair that I presciently squirreled away, for some-day inspiration.
Here is my work-in-progress.
But this is Sunday Schnauzer, you are saying to yourself right now – not a knitting blog. What gives?
This.
I was at my daughter’s house (house-sitting with my knitting left on the arm of the couch) when I went into the kitchen to empty the dishwasher. Bowser was snoozing (OR SO I THOUGHT). I returned to the living room to see Bowser, sitting sphinx-like, with something in his front paws.
Bowser, in sphinx-mode – photo for reference. Imagine my knitting between his paws instead of his squeaky octopus.
Then I heard him go “crunch, crunch” at the same time that I realized he was holding my half-finished sock.
Dog-shaming needed to be done.
Luckily the needle set I was using came with a spare (for just this reason?) so I was able to save the sock and continue on with it. I also found the chomped-off pieces of the wooden needle, so no need to worry that this criminal mastermind scamp was going to have digestive difficulties later on.
As my friend (who I am currently vacationing in Barbados with) likes to say about HER dog – IT’S A GOOD THING YOU’RE CUTE!
My daughter got a “galaxy projector” as one of her Christmas gifts. Of course, we had to pile onto her bed after dinner and try it out. This is how Bowser reacted:
He was mesmerized!Totally engrossed in the light show.Definitely watching, and not snoozing.Did the gummy kick in, Bowsie? 🤣 (JK, I would never give Bowser a gummy!)He was like this the whole time the projector was on!
Was it the aurora moving across the ceiling? Was it the stars blinking in and out? Was it the soothing ocean sounds coming from the projector? Was it all of the above? What had entranced Bowser?
We hope you find your bliss* this weekend.
Rock on,
The WB
*speaking of bliss, when this post goes live I will be traveling once again to Barbados. Fingers crossed, all goes well and I don’t have a repeat of last year’s unfortunate travel experience!
We have had an awful lot of rain lately. So much that our formerly placid creek is now a raging river (again – this is a cyclical and natural process). So we have altered some of our routes to avoid any crossings, until things settle down once more. But we still like to walk up to the creek and observe, from a safe distance.
There is one viewpoint that seems to bother Bowser and he has to stare and bark while I take in the scene. And I couldn’t figure out what he was barking at it. Several times we have been there lately, and each time he (usually completely silent on our walks) has to pause, look, and bark. Every time I scan the creek and the opposite bank to see what he is barking at – an animal, another human – what is it?!?!
Note the tail is down. A worrisome tell.Bowser is clearly bothered.
After the 2nd walk (and barking session) to this particular viewpoint, I think I have it figured out.
It’s this cedar (I think) stump in the middle of the creek, deposited there by the high water flows. It wasn’t there before and, according to Bowz, it shouldn’t be there now.
Third time visiting this spot. Still barking at the stump in the creek. Begone, Stump!
I guess he will be barking at it until another high water flow dislodges it and pushes it further down the creek.
While waiting at my daughter’s house for them to return from the mainland with the grandkids, I was absentmindedly petting Bowser…
…and my hand got tired so I stopped.
Where is the hand and why did it stop?WHERE. IS. THE. HAND.Alright. You asked for it.Loading weapon.Powering up.Cuteness bomb launched. Bullseye!Resume normal operations.
We hope you have a relaxing weekend where Weapons of Mass Cuteness do not need to be deployed.
Just in case you are feeling overwhelmed with holiday preparations, situations, or the assorted craziness/drama/blues that can happen – especially at this time of year – take a couple of minutes to rest your eyes on this little guy.
The Bowz is sympathetic to your feelings. Crawl into bed and rest your head on a pillow for a moment.Going for a walk outside can be very good for your nerves.As can taking a long hot bath or shower. Bowser had rolled in something smelly. Not recommended.Bowz hopes you’ll be sitting pretty and perky again like him soon, after some self-care.
Bowser is becoming more and more of a cuddlebug the more he matures. I’m not complaining – I much prefer this to when he was a velociraptorwild fanged beast puppy. He only had 2 modes then – off and bitey. Remember the Thunderdome Days? Oh boy, I do!
We have apparently entered a new era.
Those head and neck scritches must feel good. He is irresistible when he’s like this. He even makes little grunty and sighing noises. I swear he is trying to purr like a cat.Bowser has learned that giving me the puppy dog eyes pays off.