Dogs remember most things, going way back. I was born in April, last year. I was one of a litter of nine. I was the fifth one out. My eyes were still closed, but I could hear the rain on the roof of the house and smell my mother’s milk. I got to and clung to a spigot really fast because I knew there was a lot of competition for a key spot.

My first outing, several weeks later: The sun was shining and the air smelled really good. I heard chickadees. My brothers and sisters raced around – I just sat next to my mother and watched them. Zach, my breeder, said that I looked and acted a lot like her. I was fairly quiet. Fortunately, Alys and Pete were looking for a puppy that was somewhat reserved.

Shadow saying good bye to her litterrmates

They took me home in their truck. The car ride home was awfully hot. I threw up on Alys’s lap. I spent the remainder of the day sleeping on a chair on their porch. The weather the next few months was quite nice. It was warm, the grass was green, and the sky was blue. I honestly thought that it would always be this way. And why wouldn’t I think this way? After all, this was all I knew.

The weather began changing, I am told in September. It got colder and colder. The leaves came off the trees and the winds blew them away. Then, I woke up one morning and saw what I was told was snow on the ground. It appeared to be coming out of the sky. Pete took me for a morning walk, down the driveway. I ate some of the white stuff – it had no taste and in fact made me feel cold all over.

I then hoped that this inclement weather was just a freak thing and that it would warm back up. I mentioned this to Ryder who looked at me like I was the most stupid puppy ever born.

It took a bit of doing, but I have come to love going on long winter outings. I most love to leap like a deer, into the snow off to the side of the trail. Quite often Ryder and I race along the snowmobile trails, long stretches that allow us to get up to speed. I’m about as fast as Ryder. Yesterday Pete remarked to Alys that I’m not yet a very efficient runner – Alys agreed and said that this is because I’m still a puppy. What fun it will be, to run hard and outdistance Ryder.

I’m glad I have a good winter coat. I’d hate to have to wear a blanket.

Pete often rides his bicycle on the trails. Next year, he says, I’ll be strong enough to go with him. This is something that I am already looking forward to.

I keep hearing Pete and Alys talking about something called Spring. As I understand it, this is a time when the snow melts, and the birds return, and it gets warm again. This must mean that the seasons are cyclical.

I’m not yet even a year old, and yet, I have become a dog for all seasons. Imagine that.

Next: 32. 2/1/21: Blowsy