The Joys of Rolling in the Snow and a Letter from Viggo

Hello everyone,

I know that some of you had problems posting comments and Mom thinks she fixed it so I hope you will come back and try again.

We have lots of snow this year. You might think that would be a problem for a dog with short legs. Well, you'd be wrong. There's nothing I love more than going out after a fresh snow fall and plowing my way through the drifts. I high center once in a while which is embarrassing, but I just power through it. I have trails all over the place. Plus Mom is pretty good about keeping some of the paths shoveled. I do have to herd the snow shovel because, well just because it's what I do. This process involves lots of barking because, well just because.

Another great thing is that the voles and shrews have tunnels in the snow. It's fun to crash into the tunnels. The best tunnels are the ones the squirrels dig to hide food. Usually it's just icky old spruce cones but once in a while I hit pay dirt. Sometimes they get stuff out of the trash like perfectly good bones or something Mom calls garbage. I call it delish!

Last week I had to have a bath for some reason and then my nails trimmed. I don't know about you but I don't like being bathed. I'm very concerned about hygiene and I spend time every morning getting myself cleaned up. And this time of year, I have a lot of fur so getting wet takes a long time but getting dry takes even longer. What a bother and to no purpose that I can figure out. After my bath, I love to go outside and run around and then roll in the snow. That's what I was doing when Lee took this photo. It helps get the smell of the shampoo and cream rinse off.

Keep reading - next is a nice letter from Viggo. He's a Dachshund who divides his time between Nabesna and Anchorage. I know what it's like to have to be in the city when you are used to bush living so I'm glad he's found some things to have fun with.

See you all later!
Pearl


Hi Pearl,

Lucky you. Getting to chase rabbits and squirrels. People who think dogs with short legs can't run fast are just silly.

I'm stuck here in Anchorage with only a small yard and a few little tiny birds to go bark at in the three trees I have. When it snows, there's only a narrow path to go and poop in. There's a horrid rottweiler next door, who thinks he's all tough because he has a big booming voice. He doesn't scare me though, I bark from the back porch (a couple feet from the door) and I don't know why the older woman laughs when I come back in. The fur on my back is all puffed up a whole quarter inch and everything.

The only other excitement I have is when an occasional UPS or mail carrier drops off a package. I used to run out the door and my people were trained to holler and come after me. It was great! For some reason, that's all changed. Now they just shut the door. I wait at the door to be let in. It's degrading to have to whine.

Chase some critters for me, and roll in something stinky if you get a chance. That's what I really miss about living in Nabesna.

I'd like to sniff your butt too.

Bored in Anchorage, Viggo

Welcome to my blog.

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Pearl. I'm a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. And yes my legs are that short. My ancestors came from Wales where they herded cattle so don't let my height decieve you. I'm tough and I'm fast. Anyway, I live with my Mom and Lee on a 5 acre homestead near the north side of the Wrangell Mountains in Alaska. I've done a little traveling and I can tell you that I am living in paradise.

I used to get e-mails from my cousins Sophie in Denver and Angel from wherever her 5th Wheel is parked. But everybody got so busy we sort of let that drop. Me and Mom figure that with the blog it'll be easier for them to write to me plus I might hear from other doggie friends like Sadie in Montrose or Lupita in Kenny Lake, or Mashu and Cheno in Scottsdale. Now Mashu and Cheno have full time jobs like I do. They are also Corgis so you know they do good work. They are in charge of gallery security at Rima Fine Art. That's a lot of responsibility. I know because I'm in charge of homestead security here at Jack Creek. You would not believe the dangers that are lurking behind every spruce tree. Some of the squirrels here are not to be trusted. And as if I didn't have enough to do, Mom got chickens last summer. We also have bunnies. Sometimes I get to go in their pen. They are cool but don't respond well to herding. They are kind of like automatic poop dispensers - Yum. Plus the wild rabbits, OK they're hares, are everywhere and they have no respect for boundaries. I do like them because I occaisionally catch them. They are good to eat. I catch voles, too, but they aren't tasty so after I get done shaking them, I leave their carcasses for the birds. Hey, don't go getting all grossed out about it. That's the real world out here in the wilderness.

It's almost time for my dinner so I'll close this for now. I'll be back to share my adventures and hopefully read your posts. I'd rather sniff your butt . . . Oh well. Ruff, Ruff for now.

Your friend,
Pearl

PS - I guess it's all right if other species want to contribute.