Whew! I just shoveled multiple paths across the backyard – for the dogs. It looks like a wintry labyrinth out there. And my dogs are loving it.
Why would I do such a thing? Have you ever shoveled snow for your dogs? Don’t dogs love dashing through deep snow?
Sure, people shovel patios or small areas for little dogs. One neighbor cleared a spot for her Schnauzer. Another did the same thing for their Dachshund. But I have a Border Collie and a Lab. Did I really need to do all that digging?
- It’s pretty deep out there today. My dogs are not short. They manage pretty well in the snow. But we just had over a foot of heavy, fresh snow, falling on a base of at least 5 inches. The pups leapt outside to join me, as I hefted the snow shovel to carve out trails for them. At first, they were super enthusiastic, but they both hesitated before turning in continuous circles, packing down areas to do their business.
- My running buddies were getting tired. These two canines (my personal fitness trainers), who regularly run 3-8 miles at a stretch with me, were huffing and puffing out there. The Border Collie actually laid down on top of the snow for a bit to rest.
- We have a fire pit,
which features a rough metal fire ring. With a smaller snowfall, it's easy to spot in the yard. But with a significant blanketing of
snow, it’s hard to tell exactly where it is. Although my
dogs are pretty smart and well-acquainted with their own yard, I
still worried they might run right into the pit by mistake. That adventure
would not end well. So I piled up shovel-load after shovel-load where I
estimated the fire pit to be.
- I wanted to fill my bird feeders, but I could hardly get to them without shoveling a pathway. Sure, that’s a lot of work for wild birds, but they don’t have many dining choices this time of year. And I love watching them stop by for snacks. (So do my dogs and the cat, who vie for window space to see the show.)
- Shoveling is super exercise. It’s great for cardio and strength combined. Maybe too great. I’m a little sore now. But I built up a personal calorie deficit, just in time for a frigid winter weekend, when we’ll likely hunker at home with the munchies.
- Plus the dogs are happy. They dart through the pathways I dug out there. They leap off into the deepest snow and drag it back onto the path. Then they shake off their paws in the house, leaving me to wipe down the wood floors again and again. My floors are cleaner than ever. (Again, cardio!)
Hey, there are plenty of worse things I could shovel. So let it snow!
Can you dig it? (Sorry, had to.)
Image/s: Photos by this author. All rights reserved.
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