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Snow in winter is a fine thing.
Rain – not so much.
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Even when I was young, cold wet weather got into my bones.
As an aged person, damp is to be avoided.
Even so, I had to go out to take pictures of the dripping icicles.
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The real trouble is rain on top of snow, followed by the further deep freeze we are promised tonight.
This morning, I gingerly made my way to the wheelbarrow with my tithing of nuts then bravely set off for the driveway.
After five steps I slid and changed my mind, but by then I’d already gone too far and it was like retracing ones steps through a minefield.
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Falling is something I’ve always excelled at even as recently as ten years ago when I caught a foot and pitched head first down a steep slope.
Once, at SEATAC, I fell backwards over a cart and grabbing the smaller cart I was dragging to save myself, instead pulled it down to gouge a piece out of my left shin.
It ruined my tights and looked impressive, yet it did not hurt. Somehow, I’ve avoided hurting myself when I fall.
No sense, no feeling?
But I’m no longer prepared to test the theory.
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Grant went off to get salt for the walkways and for once I didn’t go for the ride.
Even yesterday was rather blah.
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Though we did see snow dogs.
Huskies, maybe?
One owner of such a dog is frequently visited by the police, sent to investigate his cruelty.
Huskies don’t want to be indoors.
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Well-meaning people can be a nuisance.
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In all my nearly 77 years, I’ve only ever called the police once and even then hesitated until I literally smelled smoke.
A couple of drug addicts camped outside the door of my apartment and began setting fire to I don’t know what.
That call, I think was justified.
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The window of a later apartment overlooked a row of shops, the closest of which had a small back enclosure where a dog was kept for hours on end, in all weather.
Feeling for the dog, I wrote an anonymous letter to the owner, not abusive or accusatory, – I think I probably wrote it as if from the dog itself. For whatever good it did.
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In my experience, there is frustratingly little anyone can do for mistreated animals. Sending the police around is a waste of their time.
Even if there is a local ASPCA, it seems to me they are powerless, unless things have changed.
Years ago on Long Island, a neighbour owned a sweet beagle called Wendy. She too was left outdoors, including once when the owners went away in sub-zero weather.
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My aunt and I went next door and found Wendy in her hut, water and food frozen solid.
My aunt had dogs, so we brought Wendy in and kept her in the basement till the people came home and we had to give her back.
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The way I feel these days, I’d probably have stolen the dog and found it a proper home.
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“You could find me a carrot.”
“Charge for taking my picture.”
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Yesterday was black and white.
Today is just plain grey.
Thank you, Carolyn, for the heartwarming story! Your feelings for animals are the same as mine, and I would not let cruel owners keep any too. I hope your icicles will be soon things of the past!
Joanna
Love the water drip pictures!
I had neighbours in a big (5-bed, 3 reception rooms) house directly across the road who kept 3 dogs in a large outdoor run. One weekend they were barking constantly day and night, so some of us got together and called the police. There was nobody home and the dogs had been left shut in the run. The police in turn called the RSPCA inspector, who went into the back garden by climbing over a fence. He came back and said that the dogs had a ‘proper enclosure’ with bedding, water, and food. So there was nothing he could do, other than inform the local council it was a noise complaint about barking. The council did nothing, so three of us signed a letter and put it through the letterbox. The dog owners did nothing, but luckily they split up 6 months later, and moved away, selling the house to a very nice family who have no dogs but one cat.
Best wishes, Pete.
I think the (dripping) icicles could be your new ‘project’ – they are truly beautiful! I’ve also had neighbours’ dog stay with me while they were on holiday – during the winter (not that they asked me, but I couldn’t see how the dog had to stay outside every night in cold and rain). They assured me, on their return, that he was used to it … I remember mumbling something like, “Well, that doesn’t necessarily mean he likes it” …