The Siberian tundra

It appears that Fort Worth, Texas is the new frozen tundra. Whoever heard of such cold temperatures here and for such a long period of time...

I still have to take the dogs on a walk, because just throwing them in the backyard doesn't work for them. For one thing, Mallory is still a puppy and cannot entertain herself in the backyard especially when the rest of her family is indoors. Second, if I left her alone back there, she would end up digging or eating all the new sodden grass, then turning her attention to dismantling the house.

Tom and I have witnessed this disgraceful behavior when we simply ignore her while sitting on our patio. She needs interaction and exercise several times a day.

Since we have a soccer field, pond, and park at the end of our street, I find no reason NOT to take them on a walk even at the frigid temperatures we have endured. I wrap Artimus and Gollum up in their jackets, and we run down to the park, before Gollum can assess the atmosphere and turn tail to sprint home.

Once we are down there, Mallory and Artimus have an awesome time exploring the smells, the bird/duck/possum/raccoon poop, and Gollum sticks to me like glue. I rarely see him actually enjoy himself. He merely tolerates our insanity. I can distract him every now and then, but generally he bides his time until he has had enough. At this point, unless I have treats, he is gone. Even if I DO have treats, sometimes Gollum gets struck by the vicious winds of the prairie, and the little lightning bolt is gone. He will be sitting on our front porch with disdain in his beady little eyes. Too bad he's not a real dog. Mallory and Artimus have formed a club of their own, and Gollum definitely does not belong. I've seen Artimus flush some birds out of the cattails just to see what Mallory will do. It's super cool. Gollum does not care about wildlife. He might eat the bread that people throw to the ducks, but the ducks themselves hold no interest.

The first winter here at our new home has presented new challenges, but they have been entertaining. Gollum misses the puppy pads. Who needs the outdoors anyway?!