4.26.2011

April 26, 2011


White Dog stuck close to my side all day. It was a blustery canyon-wind gusting day; the wind howled at points, branches creaked and groaned, anything not tied down rumbled and tumbled across the yard or down the street. The day was perfect for cuddling and staying inside. Even Quinn, who normally loves quirky weather chose to hunker down.

This afternoon The Other White Dog was napping in a favorite spot, across the front door. AWD was curled up by the fireplace. SAWD lying at my feet. WD was in her usual spot at my shoulder on the arm of my chair. I was wrapped in a blanket snugly warm and reading. Does this sound like the setting for a scary movie? Hear the music getting ominous? Suddenly there was a microburst of wind and the front door blew open with enough force to actually move our big boy! He jumped up in fright and went into attack mode growling, hackles raised, challenging the invader trying to get past him. The entire White Dog Army was at his side in an instant, shoulder to shoulder blocking the path between the door and myself. White Dog stood on the arm of the chair (like a crow's nest)scanning the outside and barking reports. I felt VERY safe but chilled.

It was unpredictable wind like we often get here in the high desert, swirling and changing direction, often becoming so localized as to be dust devils (like little weak mini tornadoes). We watched and heard it shift several times across the afternoon and it left TWDA uneasy. Everyone joined me in the office; if we couldn't stop the wind, at least we could all be together.

After a short while, Nuka left the room. I figured she was checking out kibble bowls or had gone for a potty-break. The winds were surging but when you gotta go... Through my focus at the computer I became aware of Another White Dog's Chewbacca howl and rushed to see what the problem was. Poor girl, HAD gone out for relief, but the wind shifted and was slapping the dog door back and forth. The swinging door trapped AWD outside because she was frightened by the invisible dogs running in and out. I held the door flap up and coaxed her back inside. Once safe, she turned and barked at the door for quite some time.

The winds are still strong tonight and the pups are torn between staying at my side or nervously watching for Steve to return from work. I am certain that they will not relax until we are all home safely together protected from the assault.

17 comments:

Teddy Bear said...

We can just see the dog door flapping back and forth. That was so smart of Nuka to wait for assistance. We would've done the same...with some barking of course.:)

Love,
Teddy Bear & Sierra

24 Paws of Love said...

Sounds like the troops we up and ready to stand ground! BOL So glad you are so well protected from that awful wind! Stay safe!

KB said...

Very smart Nuka... Let mom help in scary situations like that one.

Your photo of the tumbleweed reminded me of our recent desert vacation. A huge wind whipped up over night, depositing 6' tall piles of tumbleweed into the dirt road that we needed to take to get back to the main road. We used shovels to toss them all off the road while we giggled over the absurdity.

I hope that your wind dies down soon for everyone's sake!

Suka said...

hey White Dog Army,

Sounds like a day you won't want repeated anytime soon!

Nuka, the dog door story is funny, although I know it was not funny for you while stuck outside in such strong wind. It is a good thing, though, that the wind carried your howl in the right direction!

And Kudos to all of you pups for protecting your mom from the rude wind breaking into your house! You are indeed an "Army" of protectors! :->

Suka

Wyatt said...

That must be kind of nerve racking.
We don't get much severe weather. I'm glad, but my husband likes a good storm...crazy midwest transplant!!

Wyatt's Mom

Bailey Be Good! said...

Sounds very scary to me! I would probably bark at that wind and show 'im who's boss!

Woofs & hugs,

~Bailey

Remington said...

Weather can be so scary!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Wow, that really was the making for the intro to a great scary flick. Hope today is a much calmer day. We heard you are getting some great outdoor fun items - hope the wind doesn't try to steal those.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Random Felines said...

Yikes - when we get weather like that here, we all hide under the bed or the covers on the sofa.... glad you are all safe and protected your mom!!

Kari in Alaska said...

The wind scares my monsters. It makes Mesa into a big chicken who hangs out in the bathtub

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

meowmeowmans said...

That kind of weather is enough to make our crew hide under the bed! Glad to hear everyone protected each other (we wouldn't expect anything less, though, from the White Dog Army). :)

Hopefully, the new day brings you more hospitable weather so you can all have some fun playing in the sun.

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

Oh My's.....I would have been blown away in all dat wind!

Brian's Home Blog said...

WD Army did great, ready to defend the homefront!!!

Stella said...

Now if you had told this to an adult person they would have said "oh, nothing to be scared of m'dear, just carry on." But We dogs KNOW things they do not. On saturday my Mom asked me if I wanted to go out of doors, and held it open for me, and I wanted to but I felt scared with lots of clouds and lots of winds but no storm yet. So I turned around and went back inside. My Mom said OK, Stella, I understand, just try and take it easy.

She is way cool.

Kisses,
Stella

The Daily Pip said...

I don't care for strong winds either - it is so scary especially for smaller dogs.

Take care and be safe.

Your pal, Pip

Sagira said...

We are having some high winds here in Ohio as well. They were up to 60 mph this morning. Hang in there and don't blow away. :)

ForPetsSake said...

I think the wind is the one truly unexpected thing about Texas that still shocks me (aside from the culture, of course...) but I LOVE it!! I find it refreshing! It seems to twist and shift everything about, an ebb & flow. With that said, there are definitely days that blow me away - literally and I fear the pups will topple over while hovering precariously to poo! What a good, protective army you have there ;)