Stormy weather

Christopher and Moose have made their curling up together seem closer than ever. This afternoon when Christopher looked out the deck door and saw the snow he hurried back to bed after breakfast. Moose went out did what he had to do as quickly as a big dog could possibly accomplish anything and came rushing back for his breakfast then back to bed.

This afternoon when the ice pellets were biting both of our faces, he had to be really strongly encouraged to stay out and do what I wanted.... I do NOT want to get up in the middle of the night with potential rain... besides I need a new raincoat and was waiting till spring (will it ever come do you think or will we be blessed with this changeable stuff for six months till fall).

Both animals don't like cold, rain doesn't bother them but neither cat likes to go on the deck when it Mother Nature is having a hissy fit.

Here Eleia curls up on what was my favourite duvet for many years, (goose down - no wonder she loves it, I would never get something with goose down ever again.) She found it wrapped up in a closet along with my shawls (those fringed things she is hiding behind) and the vacuum. It has been her bedroom ever since. She is very warm and cozy and though she loves to go out on the deck, she too, took one glance outside this morning and bolted for her hiding place. She is either sticking her tongue out at me to say "Nyah nyah this is mine" or "When is lunch?" Given her size I think the latter is most likely.

The two buddies have grabbed blankets - beautiful ones that were made for me, not them, by my friend Anastasia... very gifted with her hands and very creative. Christopher is wearing what was meant to be a shawl for me  when reading. It is getting a bit care worn now. The beautiful violet and lavender blanket is usually kept away from these two... I must have forgotten to remove it that morning... but it does make a funny photo.

And when I am not taking photos of them or getting them food or writing I have been taking photos of the beautiful flowers that have surprised me this winter. This wonderful Amaryllis bulb looked like it had died until I put it near heat and under a window... suddenly it started to grow. If you look closely there is a very funny face in the bloom that is still a tight bud.

Three or so weeks later... WOW! There are three blooms today.

I am so blessed to have been able to adopt this huge mastiff/lab cross dog, who had been abandoned and was taken care of by a very kind and "skilled with animals" young woman called Adrian. Also to have had Eleia given to me by my niece and Christopher arriving at my neighbour's doorstep about 19 years ago  - a friend and neighbour who couldn't keep a nine month old starving kitten, so of course - he now sleeps on my bed with his big buddy - during the day.

Eleia has a great game with him. She hides under chairs in the house or on the deck. It's as if she is saying catch me if you can. Needless to say he has never done anything except touch noses with her.
Since he has been here he has learned what the Invisible Fence collar going "bing" means, and stays well away from the border of the property. I can let him out without me being there with or without a leash now and have for the past three weeks, and he knows how to open the side door with a push from that big nose. He walks to heel if I want and will wait, stopping where he is when told (no "stay") for my critters it is too confusing for me and them. And he stays in his crate all night without a whimper or a sound. He is gentle, friendly and mannerly - though he did race out across the fence line into the street when two little dogs came by, but before he reached them must have heard the "bing" or it must have registered because he came flying back to the front deck and sat down quivering until I told him it was okay.

I am so lucky and blessed. As time goes on you'll read more stories about this trio... they give me so much joy and pleasure. Hope you enjoyed this brief introduction to my four-legged family? Come spring, hopefully the pond will thaw, and you will meet the aquatic members... if they survived.

Appreciate all your comments by the way. Thank you for reading.  Hope your winter days are pleasant and not danger or cold filled.