Catherineville State Forest, Santamont Trail - Part 1

Our winter took a break, with temperatures rising to 40 degrees (F). The snow was all melted at the farm, so I took the dogs to Catherineville State Forest, about 8 miles away, where there was still plenty of snow. We began walking the trail, following a Coyote's footprints. The dogs were not concerned, so neither was I:

They began with their usual exuberance, though I am happy to report that they stayed a bit closer than usual and required less hollering on my part. Fergus' ears were flopping as he bounded along the trail:

Jack was just getting over a bad cough, but that didn't slow him down, especially when it was time for him to do his traditional rolling for joy in the snow:

The dogs investigated everything, covering much more ground than I did:

With five dogs going in five directions, I had all I could do to keep track of them all - and that's why I want them to stay so close to me:

Fergus wondered if that tiny tree was worth peeing on:

Seamus led the way for awhile and his little buddy, Jack, ran joyously behind. If you click to enlarge this photo, you can see that Jack's feet were not even touching the ground when I snapped this photo:

There were some interesting smells for the dogs and beautiful sights for me:

And every so often, the dogs collected in one spot with much enthusiasm. We saw no wildlife, though, not even a mouse:

The forest was mostly Red Pines and Balsam Fir, with an understory of golden leafed Beech trees:

The dogs took occasional side trips off the trail, but I stayed where the snow was worn down:

They ran and played, while I concentrated on not slipping - and on keeping track of the five of them. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

The Almost All Canine News

Yesterday's post was almost all about the cats, so today I will focus on the dogs. This typical scene in the kitchen corner included all the dogs plus little Caspar, who likes to snuggle up to his giant buddy, Seamus:

The beloved dog beds and floor pillows in the kitchen corner with Clover, Fergus, Jack and Daphne:

The dogs have a fenced yard with a ramp down into it. They often stand at the gate and wait for me to let them back in:

But they also enjoy their time outside, especially when there is freshly fallen snow:

Seamus likes the chilly, snowy outdoors so much that he often resists coming back inside:

Jack developed a bad cough which the vet says is from infected teeth. He's been on antibiotics for over a week but is still coughing. When his cough is cured, he'll have most of his teeth removed:

Seamus and Fergus seem to be good friends, and spend much time together:

Seamus, Fergus and Daphne, keeping me company while I'm at the computer:

The big, green floor pillow was put there for Seamus, but the little dogs most often get it. In this case, it was Jack, Daphne and Clover:

Seamus, Daphne and Fergus, again watching me while I was at the computer:

We had a winter thaw, then a bit of fresh snow once again. That was cause for joy although they would have liked the snow to be deeper:

But the most common scene in my house is always the dogs (and Caspar) in the kitchen corner: