below freezing

for those of you who have been distracted by the recent floods in Africa, i can tell you that Europe has had its share of dramatic weather too, stuck under a spell of cold, and ice, and snow.



Sam the Snowdog hasn't minded this course of climactic events one bit. he's spent many long, happy hours out in the garden, just Being with the snow. but best of all is a big, open field full of fresh, fluffy snow. watching him trying to sniff, eat and run in the snow at the same time is very entertaining.

on the day when i took him to the big stray as a real treat, i noticed with surprise that the river had just frozen. i then watched as Sam zipped joyously back and forth on the white expanse of fun.

then he zoomed past me and down the bank. he didn't come back straight away, so i followed, to see what he'd found. it turned out he'd discovered about ice. he was out on it. ouch.

i called on him and hurried down towards the river. as i passed a tree, the ice must have broken, for when i was past it he was in a big black hole of water. only his head was sticking out.

i held out the treat i'd planned to use to lure him off the ice, and called and called. Sam made a heroic effort, but only managed to make a bigger hole. he rested his head on the ice. now i was really worried. had he given up?

a passing dog walker on the other bank -- which Sam was closer to -- got hold of a life buoy, but it was not of much use, as Sam was still too far away, and neither of us could get to him. the man's little dog looked worried at Sam's head in the water. i told them to keep going, i'd call someone if Sam didn't get out on his own. i also promised that i wouldn't try to jump in after him.

somehow, i thought i'd have better luck from the other side, so i ran back into the park, across the old railway bridge, jumped down onto the road and crossed it. in the river i saw... an empty hole. ouch again.

but wait. there was a set of tracks leading towards the hole, and another one, which must surely be leading out of it? and who was that on the other side, who was happily responding to my calls? SAM! panic must have given him wings. or perhaps he hadn't put down his head in despair, but to rest, or test the ice.

he was bouncing anxiously, wanting to get to me. once again in a panic, i told him to stay, stay, i really don't want you to go back onto the ice, you know. and funnily enough, he was content not to test it again.

now i had to go the long route around some houses to get back across the bridge and fetch Sam. as i was leaving, i saw him heading towards the bridge himself -- perhaps he was coming to meet me? another worry, as a happy, bouncy dog on snowy roads where there are cars is not such a good thing, either.

but i got back over the bridge without meeting Sam. where was he now? once again i called, and now he came running right up to me for a joyous reunification. i clipped on his leash and we hurried home, where he was wiped with two towels until his thick fur was only a little bit damp.

and then he wanted to go out and play in the snow again.



how many lives does that dog have? hopefully, at least the same amount of lives as a cat, or he'll be in serious trouble soon with his luck.