Yellowish Snow?

The shavings fairy arrived last night!

The whole yard looks like we've had another snow fall. Ive still been using the pump in the lower end of the yard but I'm not convinced how well its working over all. We have our big ditch (a slough used to run through there before all the houses came in) to drain into but the tiny puddles of standing water wont leave untill the ground breaks.

All melt seems to take longer in the yard because of the intense shade but its well worth it since break up is the only minor inconvenience there. Summer time is heavenly and the change in temperature from the house to the yard is instantly noticeable.

I wish I had brought my camera out last night but it was a bit messy. Shavings and sawdust tends to get everywhere. It sure is nice to see the dogs clean again! Every year I am constantly amazed at how well a nice truckload of shavings spreads out the yard, makes everything smell nice, drys up the place and sucks the mud right off their fur. Of course the dogs love to roll in it and lounge so that helps keep them dry, clean and smelling wonderful.

At first I tried to keep them off the massive pile but the babies were insistent playing king of the mountain. Griffin wanted to make a bed, Salmon was sneaking in on the side and Spock was growling on the other end when the babies tumbled in too close.

I shooed them off many times but when Thani plopped himself right on top, looking so cute and content, I had to join in. In seconds every dog was on top of the pile with me, shavings all around, and grins on everyones faces. In the end it was a bit more to clean up but well worth it for the joy we all shared together.

Our new boarder, Eli, is settling in well... she has a long way to go learning about 'normal' life from where she came from. Her background is a bit of a mystery but her skin condition, protruding bones and ragged coat tells of a hard life. She knows little to nothing of treats or good living. She really didn't know what to do with the shavings I gave her and any treats shes been offered haven't been taken.

I notice this with many of our fostered and rescued dogs. They don't seem to know about the things my dogs and I consider 'normal'. Even after years of living here and interacting in the kennel daily activities dogs like Salmon and Ichabod still stay on the fringe gingerly accepting kindness when it is offered.

I left Salmon loose last night to have full run of the yard and full access to the little pile of shavings I left her from the truckload. Every time I tried to come to her to pet and reassure her that I as glad she was using it as a bed she would jump up and leave as if she wasn't supposed to be there. Its sad to see her act like this and also sad to know that she will most likely be this way until she dies.

So many of these rescued dogs come to us without a clue of normal life, regular meals or a dry place to sleep. Many of them had their puppy lives cut short when they were put on a chain too early.

Its a huge contrast watching the big brothers bounding around, taking down their little sis Calypso, tugging on lanky Hermes, running for hours around the yard never showing sign of being 'serious' sled dogs while the rescue dogs stay on the fringe, uncertain how to play, how to interact and how to simply enjoy life.

I cant give them their puppyhood back, I cant undo all the damage done in their previous living conditions but we do what we can... show them love and hope their dreams remain pleasant for the rest of their days...