Day 153

10/14/22

Today was Sam's first snowfall! He was mesmerized! He first stood and looked in confusion and then started to run with joy! That boy is such a delight!

Ranger, Lilly and Gus took it in stride, but did seem a bit interested in the white stuff. Me...I loved it! The changing seasons of Minnesota never fail to touch something deep within.

Years before I walked with Goldens, I walked with collies. Mickey and Rosie were beloved members of the family and welcomed our first Golden, Arthur, with open paws. Those two were wonderful, loving and adored. They also loved the snow!

One night, over 15 years ago, I put leashes on the collies and headed out the back door. It was before our fence, so I was watchful at night. We turned the corner and headed toward the front yard with my feet and their paws leaving footprints in the new snow. Mickey was the first to see a lone walker who dared to be in front of our house. Rosie was alerted and their reaction was a shock to me!

We have a walkway from the front steps of the house to additional steps down to our front sidewalk. Being about 40 yards back from the uninvited guest, the pups dug in and headed her way at break-neck speed! I dug my heels in as well and began to leave two lines in the snow behind me.

All of a sudden, they stopped to catch their "bark" and the slack in the leashes found me unceremoniously sitting down hard in the snow. The chase was on again, but now there were three lines behind me...the center one much larger than the two on the outside!

There was a sudden, choreographed lunge from both collies and I flipped over onto my stomach! Now there was just ONE BIG LINE behind me!!! They gleefully ran down the concrete steps to greet their newest friend and dragged me along. Flying down the steps and becoming entangled in the leashes with the poor, unsuspecting walker must have been quite the sight! I was totally caught up in the leashes and happy collies.

Luckily, I was talking to Mac on the phone. He was in Texas and urgently repeated, "Are you OK? What happened?" He hung up and called Jimmy, who was in the Anoka house. Before I knew it, Jimmy was at my side disconnecting and detangling the entire mess! I was trying not to laugh...a very bad habit of mine in ridiculous situations such as this! Jimmy could not see the humor!
I apologized to the very gracious walker, thanked my dear son and hobbled into the house to bandage a wound or two. What a ride!!!

"Walking With Collies" or "Walking With Goldens"...the stories are always memorable!