Digging out

Today was a beautiful sunshiny day. It was so bright, it hurt the eyes. I wish I'd had my cell phone to take pictures, but we couldn't find it. The snow was just piled in the trees. It looked like one of those Christmas cards you see with snow in the branches of the trees.

Mufasa didn't get fed or watered yesterday, we were too busy shoveling out & recuperating from our accidents. But today was another day. I'm grateful Eddie was here today to help me shovel a path to Mufasa. I didn't take my walking stick with me. I had a broom instead. We could only find one shovel. Nick had to have the snow shovel to dig out my car.

Finally, after shoveling a path three-fourths of the way down, Eddie gave in & let me take the lead. I only shoveled a few yards, when I gave up & just plowed through the snow that was past my knees. When we finally got to the kennel we could only see one pan. There are supposed to be 2 pans & a large plastic dish. So, that meant we had to shovel to the ground to open the door. Mufasa was trying to push out, but even with his help we couldn't open the door. The snow was piled in front of the kennel which faces south & it was coated on the front. The snow must have blown from the south. There are several inches of snow on the top of the kennel. I guess it's a good thing there are panels up there. I can't imagine what his kennel would've looked like without. How wet & miserable that would be. Mother suggested we put tarps on top & front of the kennel.

We found the leash & put it on him. Eddie held Mufasa outside the kennel while I went in with the shovel. I started digging where I thought the water pan would be. I had to chip the ice away with the shovel. I finally found it. He was so thirsty, he wanted in right away, but Eddie decided to take him for a walk so I could dig my way to the shed for the dog food. That proved to be too much, so again I just forged through the snow. I couldn't open the door. It faces south too & the snow was piled in front of it & plastered all over it.

I wasn't watching Eddie & Mufasa because I was concentrating so hard on shoveling snow. Eddie said Mufasa just laid down in the snow & rolled. I wondered if he was trying to make a snow angel.

I was so tired, I kept falling & was ready to start crying. Nick came down & finished shoveling the snow in front of the door to the shed. He got it open & I got the dog food. Mufasa went willingly into the kennel, we locked the door & left.

The boys carried the shovels & broom back to the house, so I had nothing to steady me on my trek back to the house. I was hoping no one was watching me stagger along the path. They would have thought I'd been drinking liquor.

The next time I'm in Yellowstone & see one of those cool wooden walking sticks, I'm buying it, even if I have to use a credit card. The wooden flag pole I'm using works, & I won't go to the dog kennel again without it, but one of those wooden walking sticks would be so cool. I could even use it for a cane.

Houdini is alive & well. We didn't get the peg at the bottom of the door in the casing & Mufasa was out running around when Don-Mike got here. Again, Eddie's help was invaluable in getting him back in the kennel. They had to do more digging in the snow to find the casing the peg goes in. This time I was at work & didn't get in on the fun.