Day 18: Cold

In the winter, I am a semi-responsible dog owner.

I love being outside during spring, summer, and fall.
Three seasons of the year, my big fluffy creatures get at least two walks per day - provided it's not raining.
Plus, some outdoor time chilling with me in the backyard.

Not in winter. In winter, I'm chilling all right. But I don't have to be outside to do that.
The dogs get one walk every day. They should count themselves lucky.

I hate being cold.

Today it's only -13, but the windchill makes it feel like -22.
I was up at 6:00 am, shivering in the snow in Nathan's pyjamas, shouting "JUST PEE ALREADY!" into the dark.
Oh, to have a fenced-in yard.

After work, I will don every article of clothing I own and take the dogs on a walk.
This activity is supposed to make us bond.
We're bonding all right.

Brown slush bonds to my grey dress pants.
Drool and dog hair bond to my coat.

Need I say more?

However, we three create quite a spectacle traipsing down the sidewalk together. I've noticed there are two ways people respond when approached by two large black canines:

Person #1:

Person #1: OMG! Are those your dogs?
Me:           Yes. (I wouldn't be walking them in -20 degree weather if they weren't.)
Person #1: They are SOOOO beautiful!
Me:           (Shivering slightly) Thank you.
Person #1: Can I pet them?
Me:           (Hopping from one foot to the other, trying to keep warm.) Yes.
Person #1: What are their names?
Me:           (Teeth chattering) The boy is Sam and the girl is Kia.
Person #1: Tia?
Me:           (Toes losing all feeling) No. Kia like the car.
Person #1: Oohhhhh. Did you name her after a car because she's so big?
Me:           No. (And if I did, why would I choose Kia? Why not Ford or Dodge or Chevy?)
             
The conversation continues until I politely extricate myself and hobble home to thaw my remaining limbs.
Or Sam tries to hug them.

If you meet me on the street, never hold out your arms and say "hugs" unless you want a 120 pound Newfie to launch himself enthusiastically into your arms. 

Nathan found that out the hard way. 

Person #2: Crosses to the other side of the street.

Seriously though, I love it when people love my dogs.
It validates a deep part of my soul.
I just love it more when it's warm outside.

In other news, other than doing my Wintergirls review, I'd like to spend some time brushing up on the art side of things.

I'll post pictures if anything turns out brilliantly.

If it's all garbage, I'll come back and erase the last two sentences and we can all pretend it never happened.

You didn't see anything... 

Until then, happy doodling!

PS - If you're feeling brave and want me to try a VERY quick sketch of you, your family, or your worst enemy, feel free to send me a photo via email - natelisa.robinson@gmail.com. No promises though! Sometimes I forget.