Monday, April 23, 2007

Snowy face


Look what I dug up
London, ON, April 2007 [Click for extreme dog closeup]


In this part of the world, it isn't supposed to snow this much in April. But there's a wide gulf between what's supposed to happen weatherwise and what actually does. Mother Nature doesn't accept requests, after all.

So when an early-April snowfall turned the city into a winter wonderland, we took our dog, Frasier, to the nearby dog run and turned him loose. We're still admittedly nervous about letting him off his leash. He is, after all, an exuberant puppy who needs more than a little work in the training department. But he's so full of beans that we just have to let him run free when the opportunity presents itself.

We forgot that miniature schnauzers are hunting dogs. He spent an inordinate amount of time digging his nose into the snow, and likely would have continued to do so until the final meltoff if we hadn't eventually hooked him back up and brought him home for a very long nap.

The life of a dog.

Your turn: Why is a dog's life so charmed?

24 comments:

David Edward said...

i spent part of my weekend with a Husky named Sam, and I am the better for it..

Anna said...

So adorable Carmi! I love the snow on his nose. I think dogs spend their whole life getting what humans crave...unconditional love.

Bobkat said...

It's only charmed if it has great owners like yourselves.

That photo is lovely. I'm surprised he didn't get a very chilly nose but then dogs noses are menat to be cold aren't they? :0)

Jess said...

Oh Carmi...he is ADORABLE! I can see why you all love him!

Is a dog's life so charmed? On the one hand yes, probably; because they don't seem to carry 'baggage' around like we humans do. They seem to live for the moment, and each one is a new one.

On the other hand, I'm not so sure. Our dog is a very happy, good-natured, loving labrador; which is mostly due to his sunny disposition but must also have something to do with the fact that we give him a good life and a lot of loving.

Would he be so happy if we left him thirsty and hungry and tied up all day, and never walked him? What a horrible thought, but sadly, animal cruelty is widespread. A dog's life isn't always so charmed.

Holly Schwendiman said...

All I know is I've always thought they had it great! LOL My baby is 12 now and I hate seeing age take over but she still finds that puppy heart to play and welcome you home. Love it.

Hugs,
Holly

talj said...

Oh he is just lovely!!! I really think you need to send him over to stay with me!! :o)

CG said...

What a lovely photo :)

I think with good owners a dog's life is a happy one...but the reverse can be true also.

tommie said...

It snowed in here in Central/South Texas over Easter....now that is crazy weather...It hasn't snowed here in years!!

Anonymous said...

We've had lovely spring, almost summer-like weather here in the UK. We've finally had a drop of rain today though, the ground certainly needed it.

kenju said...

He is so very cute, Carmi! No wonder you guys all love him so much.

Nestor Family said...

Incredible photo!!! Growing up we had a schnauzer-poodle-cocker spaniel mix... he loved to put his nose into the snow and then just take off running.

Dogs are charmed because they can be so charming! (Cop-out answer! I agree that they tend to live in the moment and their outlook can be so pure... but good owners are key, also.)

Craver said...

In my experience a tired dog generally equals a happy owner!

I honestly believe that my dogs good nature reminds me to be a nicer person and to find joy in the little things.

Lee Ann said...

That is the cutest look he is giving. It almost looks as if he knows it too!
Great shot Carmi!

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

Frasier's so adorable.........i have always wanted to come back home to a dog....lol ...well also to a husband...but a dog too...am buying myself one the minute I am out of school...:)

Anonymous said...

How funny! What a great photo. You can see the little guys personality just bursting through that look in his eyes.

Thanks for the grin Carmi.

Unknown said...

What a great change of pace, Carmi! And a great looking dog who appears in your photo to be ready for fun!!

sari said...

Frasier is so cute!

Gosh I love dogs, he just looks like a sweetheart.

Shephard said...

What, no nap photos?
You should frame that one. :)
~S

Anonymous said...

Hi Fellow Dog Lover,

OMG! He is sooo freakin cute! I love him & your stories...I could read it all day...and the photos, how beautiful...

Dogs are my life!

Amber

Foster Dogs said...

GREAT shot!

Dogs are blessed for many reasons. They don't know about things like racism, sexism, discrimination.

They have an amazing capacity to forgive, trust, and love unconditionally.

They bring joy to so many.

They ask for, and are made happy by, so little.

wrchili said...

Cute picture! I know I wouldn't want to push my face around in the snow, but my dog doesn't seem to mind it either. The photographs on your site are beautiful :o)

Heart of Rachel said...

Hi Carmi. Thank you for visiting my blog. It's a pleasure to meet you and I find it an honor that you followed my link from Roxanne's. I remember coming across you before because I've seen your picture/avatar as I read comments from other sites we commonly visit.

Thanks for your comment on my blog. It feels good to write about friends because they bring so much joy to my life.

I enjoyed reading this post because I'm a dog lover. I've never seen a miniature schnauzer before but I'm familiar with the breed. You have a lovely dog and by the way you describe him, I guess he is a real bundle of energy.

We don't have snow here but I'm sure Bruno (my black labrador) will love it. I don't let him run free outside but he is free to roam the backyard. I take him for long walks in our village.

I agree with bob-kat, a dog's life is charmed if he has good and caring owners. In our country, I see many abandoned dogs in the street and although I feel sorry for them, I do not have resources to take care of them.

Tom & Icy said...

This guy's cute!

Anonymous said...

Here's the cute little guy. He just continues to get cuter. Love this photo in the snow. Snow? Hey...wait a sec! It's April. That poor doggie will be so confused!