Having the babies adjust to the new weather conditions in Somers, NY has been a challenge. They arrived a few days ago from the heatwave that is current engulfing Gauteng, to a very cool 2 degrees half way around the Earth. Without have a garden to roam freely in, we are back in the puppy training stage of going outside for regular walks on a lead where business can be taken care of.
I awoke on this second morning of the babies being here and put on my slippers (old red Crocs from Mr Price so not even the real thing) and a tracksuit to take them out. I opened the curtains to the sight of beautiful snow falling - just like a Christmas card - but I wasn't to be put off. Leads on and the sliding door to the deck was opened. Not as cold as I thought it would be and the babies were rearing to go so we stepped out into a fairy tale.
For a full two seconds we all enjoyed the moment - snow falling and a perfectly white landscape. First steps into the snow and it crunched pleasantly under foot. Was about 15 cms deep and made a delightful crunching sound when we stepped onto it.
Trinity was first off the deck with her nose down and smelling the snow. Neo was slightly tentative but joined her and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. I'm still getting used to the leads that lets them have some freedom and soon enough they were at maximum and seemed to be enjoying themselves. One of the leads got stuck to the edge of the deck and in the moment I managed to get it loose, the Hounds of Hades were released.
Both dogs surged forward with such power that both leads were pulled out of my hands and they were bounding off into the trees at full speed. I started after them and found that old crocs lack traction and when you're treading on unknown ground while shouting out their names, one's dignity is non-existent. While picking myself up in a panic, I looked up and saw what had caught their attention - a few deer were racing off into the white distance with two small dogs after them. I called my dogs again.I also know I was shouting "Liefie" at the top of my voice in between all of this. The hounds slowed down a bit. Thankfully the leads got a bit tangled in a bush. As luck would have it, as I got near the stupid handles on the end of the leads, I slipped again and they managed to get themselves loose so were off again.
Lucky for me they slowed down enough for me to grasp both ends and we came to a halt. They were rearing at the end of the leads to keep going but by then my "stern mother voice" had kicked in and they finally turned around and acknowledged me. Time to turn around and go back to the house but of course I had two dogs each on about 6 metres of lead, coming back at me in two different directions, each getting tangled in bushes and around trees. By now Liefie had got out of bed and was enjoying the spectacle from the deck. I did slip and fall once more coming back to the house and it was a good one. Slippery rotting leaves hidden under the snow made for a great slip 'n slide.
Shaking it off, the babies were more than happy to greet their father while I arrived behind them with snow all over my bottom half. I was shaking in a different way.
My friend Sharon posted a picture on Facebook a while back describing the holes in Crocs - apparently that's where your dignity leaks out. For once I have to agree with her. Several lessons were learnt this morning...
1) Crocs do not make suitable snow gear
2) Wear your Hunter Wellies out in the snow
3) Hold onto the dog's leads for "deer" life.
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