1.01.2011

January 1, 2011


White Dog huddled closer against my legs, pushing into the folds of the comforter as the New Year dawned frigid and uninviting. Puff, our pre-light farm girl, didn't even make her usual venture outside to watch sunbreak. Nuka, curled like a sled dog, tail over nose, had nested her blankets into a mound on her bed and was dug into the deep warmth. Steve and I clung to each other for warmth, twined together with blankets pulled over our heads. Michael generally sleeps with so many blankets that he can never tell variations in the house temp so he slept comfortably and long.

Only The Mighty Quinn, the Nordic outdoorsdog from LA (wait a minute!)...braved the unnatural temperatures to stand stoutly on the deck making clouds with his breath and then trotting at an invigorating pace to take care of business. He even laid under the tree a while taking in the thrill of the chill and when he came in, he radiated cold. It was in the teens, Fahrenheit.

This afternoon, none of the White Dog Army seemed very interested in going to the Park and Steve was grateful despite his heavy leather jacket. Although it was sunny, the day's high was 23 degrees F! Our average temperature for January 1 is 46!

Instead, we all stayed inside and made ham stock for bean soup, and wrote Thank You notes, and spent LOTS of time cuddling under blankies and staring wistfully out of windows that fogged from warm puppy breath. We also snacked, thinking it wise to fuel the system to produce more internal heat...and thinking maybe a little more protective fat might not be a bad thing in these times of Global Climate Change.

Tonight the "experts" are predicting a record setting low of 3 degrees. Our poor furnace groans at the idea of that much work. Steve is feeling very self satisfied about our decision several years ago to add exterior insulation to our nearly 100 year old house. And I am VERY glad that we finally found a compromise with TOWD, AWD, SAWD that allows us to gate the hallway near their room at night so that Puff, the once Kansas outdoor dog, sleeps inside.

We thought it was MARCH that came in like a lion...Happy 2011!

18 comments:

Stella said...

Here in Minnesota, we got about 20"
of new snow since Friday, and tomorrow it is supposed to be 15 below zero F. Ah well, the snow IS an insulator, isn't it?

Happy New Year Siku and her gang,

Stella

TwoSpecialWires said...

Well. Now I know you are braving the cold. But I don't know ... are you braving A cold? Or something worse?

Hope all are well ... and that the first day of the new year was a blessing to you.

Much love
Jake and Fergi

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

It has been a very frigid cold day here today - the kind of cold that just penetrates the Momster's old bones. A good day for some hot soup. Mom had ham and split pea soup from what was left of the holiday ham. We didn't get any but it sure smelled good. We hope you all stay warm tonight.

Happy New Year!

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Ah yes!

Tail ovFUR the nose is khwhite khomfy!

Happy 2011!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Jacqueline said...

It's been warmer than usual here in Louisiana (New Year's Eve, it was in the 70's; in the 50's now)...Adorable photo and I hope you are feeling better, Sue...Happy New Year, lovely friends=stay warm!...We love you guys...J, Calle, Halle, Sukki

Teddy Bear said...

Happy New Year to you all! 23 degrees sounds pawfect to me.:) We hope you stay warm when the temps hit 3 degrees.:)

Love,
Teddy Bear

Maureen said...

Oh no! That is just too cold!! I think staying inside was a very smart thing!

Burrs and shivers, HoneyBuzz

meowmeowmans said...

Yikes, that's cold! We are actually supposed to be in the 40s today, which is quite warm for this time of year in Connecticut. We got a lot of snow earlier in the week, so things are very slushy and puddly outside.

Happy New Year to you all! :)

P.S. - Good news about Gadget, who won the "best fantasy" category you sponsored in Hansel's 2010 Halloween Spooktacular ... he is doing well in his new foster home (we are told he especially loves not being in a cage anymore). :)

Brian's Home Blog said...

Yep, the weather can sure be confusing. We've had burr cold and today will be close to 60! Y'all keep snuggly warm!

Willow said...

Wow Siku! It sounds like New Mexico is turning into Wisconsin! We usually get those kinds of temps!
Also,
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011! :D
<3 Willow <3

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

We have similar cold here. PLease stay warm my friends. Hugs GJ xx

Suka said...

hey White Dog Pack,

What a lovely day to spend the first day of the New Year! I am just sorry it was so cold for all of you, but sounds like perfect weather for me!

Here is wishing an amazing New Year 2011 to you and yours, filled with much happiness, love, health, joy, fun, and an endless supply of toys and treats! I look forward to reading of your life and adventures in 2011. Your humans certainly had an incredible 2010, going from three to seven! Can't wait to read what 2011 brings!

Peace,

Suka

Mack said...

3 degrees???? It is really gonna be a four dog night!!

Remington said...

It is always cold here in Minnesota in the winter, so we are use to it. I hope you all cuddle up and stay warm. Maybe a cup of something warm would help....

KB said...

A great description of a pack's reaction to a very cold day! We've had a few of them lately, so cold that our dogs kept lifting their paws when outside for us to rub them warm with our mittens. That's cold!

I hope that it warms up for you!

Joan Princing Art said...

Hey There! Just saw your photo via another blog and HAD to stop by. You are SO cute. My husband had a miniature American Eskimo when he was a young child. "Lady" was in their family for 17 years!!
Have a fun day.

Joan & Jane Austen Eyre

Kari in Alaska said...

based on how cold LA has been Quinn could be Nordic :)

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

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