Sunday, December 21, 2008

Black Diamond Blemish

Low: -4° F
High: 11° F
Conditions: Blizzard conditions with gusting wind and snow accumulation of 15 inches or higher.


The solstice hike is one of our family’s favorite traditions. We wake up first thing in the morning; the humans bundle up and stuff their pockets with dog biscuits; and then the three of us head out for an epic hike. Along the way, we see moose and birds and eat snacks. Then we stop for breakfast, and the resting canine naturalist gets the bacon from one of the human’s plate.

It’s an all-around great day. One of our collective favorites on the calendar, really.

So what do you do if you’re a dog looking forward to a solstice walk who is then disappointed when one of her stupid humans falls down a mountain a few days before?

You sulk a little. And you sigh deeply each of the million times you have to listen to her recount the fall—the death cookie she’s sure her ski hit (after all, she wouldn’t just fall, right?). You hear her talk about the daring tumble—about how it would have been a complete yard sale if her right ski hadn’t stayed on her right foot. About how said ski was responsible for bending her leg in a hundred different directions, none of which nature intended.

You sigh some more. You look at the front door longingly. You get bored and chase the cats around the house.

And then you settle for a consolation walk.



The other human—the less clumsy one—agrees to be your walker. This is unusual. And irritating, since he insists on eating an orange and everyone knows you hate the smell of citrus. Meanwhile, your human—the gimpy one—tries to make do with a knee-brace, ski poles, and a lot of Advil. You can see that glazed, ibuprofen look in her eyes. And you don’t like it. But you walk anyway, and pretend not to laugh because she looks like a goof. And really, it’s not all bad.

The hike is more of a shuffle, but it is awfully pretty.


And you get to growl at mallards.

And, okay, you even see a bald eagle.
And even in your crabby state, you have to admit that’s pretty impressive—especially today, which is the solstice after all. And even though there’s no bacon for you, there are biscuits. And they are homemade. And the humans are smiling—even the gimpy one—so you decide, okay maybe, you’ll have a good day, too.

And so you do.

17 comments:

Amici said...

Oh gosh we hope that Kathryn is okay. That sounds like quite the tumble. You took a walk to a beautiful place. Love the bald eagle pic.

The Army of Four said...

Wowzers, what gorgeous pix! (Especially that first close-up of you, Ari! :)
I sure hope your Mom is OK. Maybe you can have a delayed bacon-eating walk when she feels better.
Play bows,
Zim

Anonymous said...

Ouch! Hope you are soon mended, Kathryn, and able to better meet Ari's needs ;-)
Ali

Marigold said...

Dear Ari,
At least you are not responsible for the gimpiness. No will admit, even now, who it was that closed the bottom gate which caused the goatmother to fall. Perhaps she is just clumsy too. It's not bacon, my friend, but I'll be happy to send you some Peanuts if you like.

sugarcreekstuff said...

It must have been a bad fall to not be strong enough for the bacon walk. Yum...Bacon.
Hope you are feeling better soon.

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

OMD!

The eagle shots are fantastikh!

Please tell the khlumsy one that if she was meant to do things like SKI, her feet and body would be engineered slightly difFURently!

Do take khare of her BUT be sure to give her THE LOOK every now and again!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Lorenza said...

Hi, friends!
I don't know why but it sounds painful!
I hope you get better soon!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Eve said...

Ari you take care of Kathryn...bring her stuff will ya!!!
But tell her to lay off the skis fo a bit!

Pippa said...

Sending good healing vibes to Kathryn - mistress is curious and wonders if it was cross-country or downhill skiing?

Pippa

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Ari you need to keep a leash on Mom so she doesn't fall down those mountains..
Great pictures....

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Anonymous said...

Ouuuuuuuuuuucccccccchhhhh! Falling down a mountain? You say this so casually, as though your humans do this often. Snuggle up to Kate and tell her I said she heals quicky.

~~~~~~
~~~~~~ <--- Bacon for you!

Teddy Westlife said...

There should be bacon (or ham) for you later Ari. It's only fair. I hope your mum heals up soon!

Huffle Mawson, Honorary Husky and Explorer Cat

YourFireAnt said...

Oh, c'mon! I have never known a dog to NOT have a good day! I mean, dogs are the reason there ARE good days.

FA

Niles sends his licks.

Steve, Kat, & Wilbur said...

Oh, Ari, it sounds like you almost had a miserable day. At least your mom managed to dope up on pain pills so you could still go for a walk!

Kat

PS. Since your mom is gimpy, she might have to go live with Meeshka. That seems to be where the gimpy ones live.

PPS. We hope she feels better soon!

umekotyan said...

Good evening Ari.
As for picture collections of beautiful birds, it knows the
observation power.
It knows the severity and the size of nature the snow scene and there.

I feel the freedom of an empty falconine as it searching for the footprint because it takes care about its feet.

It is near at wonderful Christmas.
I while praying for the happiness of the family of Ari.
A delicious meal waits. :D

from loved ume tyan

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

Great post, Ari. And how wonderful to be able to see a bald eagle! That is so cool.
I keep forgetting to ask.....don't you have a book coming out in 2009? Is that still on track and when will it be out?
Merry Christmas to you!!
--JB

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Ari,

We hope your human mom is ok and hope that she gets well soon(for your sake).
Have a very Merry Christmas and we hope you get lots and lots of treats.

Sam & June