December 1, 2011

White Dog cocked her head toward the wildly flapping dog door and asked, "Is there a folk saying like there is for March?" Distracted, I looked puzzled. "You know, March comes in like a lion goes out like a lamb."

She was referring to the howling canyon winds that roared across the Albuquerque valley all day knocking down power lines and ripping off roofs. After a brief cold snap in October we had been lulled into thinking this was going to be a mild winter season...if today is an indicator, we were REALLY wrong!

The nonstop angry sounds and knock you off your feet gusts have made the White Dog Army nervous. They have paced, restlessly, and slept huddled like newborns against me. Their edginess has made them needy and jumpy...quick to sound a barking alarm and slow to settle down. The WDA wants to all be together, feeling my touch but not touching each other. Tempers have been short as the day has brought no break from the windstorms.

It is said a huge storm which already has blanketed our friends in Colorado with white is pushing its way toward us. That is easy to believe as we have watched the temperatures drop all day long.

Michael's plans to go to the neighborhood merchants outdoor "Christmas Stroll" have been cancelled; he doesn't want to "freeze to death." Besides we suspect the planned jugglers and street carolers will be blown away or will quickly move indoors. The luminaria were never even set up ...a shame as it is a lovely sight to see our little bit of Route 66 lined along the boulevard in twinkling candlelight. The White Ones nervously watch the front door for Steve's return. In the back of my mind, I worry about Quinn for I remember reading that often severe changes in weather can trigger seizures...silently I ask the wind to be sympathetic of my boy and hope my extra hugs form a shield to protect him.

Cold is not a problem; Eskies are Nordic dogs and fear not the frigid fingers of winter (except poor Puff whose coat has begun to thin with age). And snow is a welcomed diversion (at least as long as it temporarily visits us in the desert). But the noises and the winds...enough to drive a pup to even eschew duck jerky bribes.

"White One," I finally responded to her initial question, "I don't know that there is one. Based on today maybe we should come up with an appropriate saying."

"I have been thinking about that," White Dog responded, "How about...December comes in furiously screaming curses and calmly leaves singing of new hope and peace?"