Woof Wednesday: I like snow but this is just ridiculous!

One of the most terrifying experiences of my life happened last weekend. You know how I’ve been hoping and wishing and praying for snow? Well we went to visit the grandparents down South and they had a LOT of snow. Not the puny 3-4 inches we had at home. I’m talking more like a foot.

I thought I was going to be in doggie heaven, but it turns out that snow is not all that easy to play in. I actually had to trudge through it…and because there was a bit of ice on top, I would sorta crash through the top layer and then sink down in the powder. I had to half jump/half run to keep moving in the snow. Imagine a big black bear trying to hop around like a bunny and you’ve got a picture of me. It was fun but exhausting and quite chilly on my belly!

But back to the terrifying stuff. You see, for reasons I cannot comprehend, my dad decided it would be a good idea to sit on a thin piece of plastic and slide down a big hill! There were trees, fences, rocks and walls of snow all around him, but he just went cruising along anyway. I went crazy. I was barking and whimpering, trying to pull Opa down the hill so I could check on dad. But instead I had to wait at the top until dad came back. I excitedly sniffed him over as I gave him lots of kisses. Apparently he did not die once he reached the bottom.

You would think that after my initial reaction, dad would just give up this insanity and go back into the house. He did not. Instead he picked up the kiddo and put her on the piece of plastic with him. NOT good.

I almost took Opa down the hill with me when they took off but mom came in for backup. I cried to dad to slow down but he wasn’t listening. It just wasn’t right. Finally when they stopped at the bottom, mom let me go and I raced down the hill to make sure everyone was still ok. Mackenzie wasn’t making a peep but apparently she was indeed fine. I’m pretty sure it was a close call and that both she and dad nearly died.

I could barely take any more chaos so mom distracted me me a bit as dad made the long hike back up the hill. She tossed a tennis ball down the hill in Oma and Opa’s yard and boy did I kick up some snow. I was tumbling and rolling all over the place. It’s not easy to slow down a Newfie which is moving at top speed down-hill. I was actually pretty thankful for the snow, then, since it cushioned the blows from my gymnastics attempts.

Worn out from just a few trips up and down the hill in the deep snow, I suddenly heard a noise that stopped me in my tracks. Dad was on the sled with the baby AGAIN! Were they trying to give me a heart attack or what?

I threw myself at Opa’s fence and almost thought I could clear it. But apparently a 100 pound dog with natural swimming and pulling ability is not necessarily good at jumping over 4 foot high fences. I sorta just sprang against it instead. No one was injured in the process…except maybe the fence. I sure hope that doesn’t come out of my treat allowance!

After that, mom found a gate in the fence and let me out to check out everyone. After I made sure all humans were accounted for, I led the way back up the hill. It seems impossible but they thankfully went inside after that. I was worn out from the playing and the excitement and trying to protect everyone…but I just didn’t trust that so-called “sled.”

When arrived home after our trip, I was so relieved that all our snow had melted in Frankfurt. No worries that the plastic killer might emerge again and try to take us all out. BUT it wasn’t long before the ground was covered in white stuff again…and now I hear we’ve actually bought a new sled for Mackenzie to use on the walks. Oh my poor Newfie heart. I’ve been assured that this will be a less dramatic experience because Mack will simply be pushed or pulled along as we take our daily walks. They say it’s going to be just like in the stroller but she’ll be sitting in a sled instead, still strapped in and wrapped up warmly.

I can only hope that the package gets lost in the mail and that the snow is all gone by the time the package arrives. But there’s been a lot of talk about more snow coming tonight. They’ve even said it will snow on and off for the next 4 days! That sounds like a lot of snow!!

Keep me in your doggie prayers this week so that I survive this ordeal and make it back here next Wednesday to tell you all about the newest evil in our house (whatever that may be!)

Frozen Newfie icicle kisses,

Ayla