They took me home in their truck. The car ride home was awfully hot. I threw up on Alys’s lap. I spent the remainder of the day sleeping on a chair on their porch. The weather the next few months was quite nice. It was warm, the grass was green, and the sky was blue. I honestly thought that it would always be this way. And why wouldn’t I think this way? After all, this was all I knew.
The weather began changing, I am told in September. It got colder and colder. The leaves came off the trees and the winds blew them away. Then, I woke up one morning and saw what I was told was snow on the ground. It appeared to be coming out of the sky. Pete took me for a morning walk, down the driveway. I ate some of the white stuff – it had no taste and in fact made me feel cold all over.
I then hoped that this inclement weather was just a freak thing and that it would warm back up. I mentioned this to Ryder who looked at me like I was the most stupid puppy ever born.
It took a bit of doing, but I have come to love going on long winter outings. I most love to leap like a deer, into the snow off to the side of the trail. Quite often Ryder and I race along the snowmobile trails, long stretches that allow us to get up to speed. I’m about as fast as Ryder. Yesterday Pete remarked to Alys that I’m not yet a very efficient runner – Alys agreed and said that this is because I’m still a puppy. What fun it will be, to run hard and outdistance Ryder.
I’m glad I have a good winter coat. I’d hate to have to wear a blanket.
Pete often rides his bicycle on the trails. Next year, he says, I’ll be strong enough to go with him. This is something that I am already looking forward to.
I keep hearing Pete and Alys talking about something called Spring. As I understand it, this is a time when the snow melts, and the birds return, and it gets warm again. This must mean that the seasons are cyclical.
I’m not yet even a year old, and yet, I have become a dog for all seasons. Imagine that.
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