double digit dance

We are all SO very tired of being cooped up from the cold for sooo long, and yet I feel fortunate to live in WI. We are prepared to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at us. Unlike our southern friends. The infrastructure down south is simply not built to handle Winter. 

I worry about those less prepared/fortunate, in particular the abundance of poorly secured animals that can't get help. Their only option is to suffer a living hell.

Most of our small animal rescues transport all their adoptable dogs & puppies up from the south.

Just a few days after our horse transportation delivered Padame, they have postponed all scheduled routes this entire week. For safety reasons. Horses are stuck wherever they may be, including horse hotels etc while extended storms hit the South (and East). It sounds like they have horses "stuck" at their overnight facility in WI.

It is a huge relief to have Padame safely here!! We have not seen her since our second visit. She had her feet trimmed yesterday. We heard she was "sweet and kept her head low" for our farrier. Just for the record, Padame's feet looked great upon arrival. She came to us with a light trim due to snow etc Both our girls got their feet done a little early in order to get in on the barns trim rotation. Feet are better done early than late.

Brad speed grooming Padame
(at our second visit)

I briefly snuck out without the dogs for some fresh morning sunrise air when I saw this:

I couldn't stand it, I had to take it all in closer. There is something about cast light and untouched snow...it sparkles my imagination...

Our barn is the one place the dogs can go with me in this frigid weather. Although sometimes they still get leg cramps on the short walk in-between the barn & house :(

The dark brown garage door seal Brad added to the big front door made a big difference!! He didn't bother adding any to barn door in the back, because next Winter it will open to an arena.

frosty service door stays shut in Winter

our unheated barn stays above freezing

All three barn cats run out, and run back inside even faster. They are stir crazy, especially Leo. He has been getting in trouble for picking on his sisters. We have been playing "chase the whip" up and down the aisle and hay bales to help with boredom, and they have fun too *^*

Leo

Our horses have stayed inside the past two days when the wind chill was negative 20 something with no sun. They stretched their legs outside while we cleaned stalls, and were more than ready to come back inside when we were done. It was still chilly this morning, but they are back to regular turn-out basking in the sun.

After close to two weeks, we are finally getting back into the (positive!) double digits during the day!! Hopefully I can head out to the woods for a refreshing walk with the dogs, soon. Winter isn't done with us. We have more coming our way, but double digits is a good reason to dance and stay warm! No doubt some crazy Wisconsinites will break out the shorts this weekend when we get into the balmy low 30's. My son used to wear them year round. Drove me nuts. Speaking of nuts, hang on tight folks the weather can only get better!!