Snow Days Are Great for Furry Friends Too

Oh the joys of the first snow fall.

Although I spent most of Thursday driving around Riverdale Park and University Park looking for slick roads and taking photos of the snow day, I knew I needed to set out some time to take Charlie out in the snow.

He had already been out in the snow earlier that day when it started around 11 a.m. but it wasn't sticking at that point, so he seemed to just sniff at it in the air, unable to tell what it was.

So after I finished my work for the day, I decided to snap some more photos and take Charlie over for a walk at the Riversdale House Museum, where he could romp in the snow and where I could get some nice shots of town from atop a hill.

When he got out of the car, Charlie sniffed around, looking for scents and when his nose hit the cold stuff, he sort of jumped back, shook his head and then went back in.

I guess he decided the snow was a lot like the ice "treats" I give him before he goes to bed (Note: Charlie loves ice; it's also good for his teething.), so he was eating it - tail wagging.

As we walked around the property, Charlie decided to leap at piles of snow, covering leaves and as his collar came loose. I spent about 20 minutes chasing the dog, calling for him, but because he still doesn't recognize his name, he thought it was a game. But he seemed to have fun, and since he's a puppy it was pretty cute.

Finally, I caught up with him and wrangled on his collar and leash. 

I decided to take him out on an actual walk in Riverdale Park. However the snow fall seemed to add an additional challenge. Charlie pulls on the leash when I walk him in various directions and in snow this means, I fall a lot. I think since Thursday, I have managed to slip three times while walking Charlie, because he pulls at me as I'm simultaneously walking on ice, including Sunday when I managed to wipe out in an intersection at H Street and 3rd Street in D.C.

So I guess we're going to have to work on this whole loose leash walking. It's something we did end up discussing at his puppy class, when the trainer showed me a way to get Charlie to walk with me on an extended leash.

We'll be practicing over the holidays.