Winter Walk About

I am pet sitting for a few days for my daughter's two mini dachshunds, Peanut and Weenie Baby. 

They love nothing better than a good walk about, so I dressed them in their sweaters and with Champ and Whitey, we set off. 

Hurry up, Hurry up! We're waiting! 

Peanut hates her sweater. Can you tell? But she quickly forgets as we start our walk. 

Getting a photo of these two together when they are outside is near to impossible, but here I snapped a quick one of them in their little pom-poms, investigating a good scent. 

They love coming to 'Grandma's' house because there are so many interesting things to explore! 

Whitey and Champ love having company on their daily walk. Hey, Weenie Baby - wrong way! 

Champ is waiting patiently for me to throw his ball. 

Check out that intense stare. He is purebred Border Collie and his instinct is to 'stare down' his quarry and round them up. He spends most of the day rounding up the squirrels and trying to herd the rest of us! 

He uses that big nose to steer you in the proper direction. Sometimes it is hard to pass by without his constant nudging. (See the bald spot on his nose?) So we stop and tickle him until he comes out of 'herding' mode. 

It was a beautiful winter day and the warm sun made it comfortable enough to stay out for a while. Can you see Mt. Rainier on the horizon? 

First stop was the side yard where Peanut found the best view. When you live so close to the ground, it's always nice to have a good vantage point. 

Look what we found! Daffodils poking up out of the winter ground! This is a good sign! 

Purple 'Winter Berries' brighten up the raspberry patch. 

Some mossy pots of ivy drape a window shelf.

But wherever the sun doesn't shine, pockets of ice and snow linger, 

reminding us that spring is still a long way off. 

As we venture near The Mr.'s woodpile, Champ waits.

Tiny legs are not so quick. 

As we wander the trail behind the shed, great mossy trees welcome our company. 

Here we find a different view of hills beyond our own. 

And a curious tree, forming parenthesis around the view. 

We circle around beside the shed where potting supplies patiently wait for spring. 

Peanut finds another lofty perch on the steps in front. 

We wander towards the ancient Holly tree. 

There are still lots of berries waiting for returning song birds this spring. 

Weenie Baby investigates the twiggy underbrush beneath. 

Only to emerge naked! 

So now I must climb under the holly tree to find her missing sweater! There it is! 

Scratched and with my hair caught, I find a stick, only to have Champ try to take it from me. He wants to play! No, Champ! With one hand holding him back, I fish the sweater out with the other. 

That's quite enough for one day. 

Let's go home! 

I think I need some wine.

Thanks for coming along with us on our Winter Walk About! 

xx