Katie Dog Days - numero duex

Little known fact.. when we were still talking about adding Katie to our family I was worrying -- about whether or not she would like me, would I be a good dog mom, what if she doesn't like to hike and spend time outdoors??!?!!

Mr. Happy laughed.  I worried -- more.

And in the end, like most things... it all worked out.  She fits our family like a warm snug glove and I always have a buddy to explore the outdoors with!  It shows very well in these photos!

And I think she looks rather smashing in her snow mustache!

And I don't think I will ever get tired of how cute her paws are!

Or, how she mimics what I am doing.  I was taking macros of this tree and Katie was doing her version of macros... getting her nose right up close to each leaf and then tasting the branches with tiny licks. 

Doesn't it look like she has a leaf mustache here?  Look really closely!

On our adventures we usually make a mess.  This time it was in the form of 'dingle-balls'.  What are dingle-balls you ask?  They are the catches of snow that form in the shape of snowballs around Katie's fur and then have to melt off.

You see she has a very fine, feathery-like fur that likes to pick up anything from leaves and moss, to snow, dirt, and sticks.  Yes, things tend to get messy.  The good part about Katie's coat is that it's meant to have a quick brush which then loosens those feathers and she looks as good as new afterward. 

It's a hunting dog thing!

Ready for a video?  I really like this one for the somber snow falling... the sniffing... and then Katie's serious looks.  She can be such a goofball one minute and then very peaceful and quiet the next. 

Hug your pup/cat/snake/bird/hamster/fish/horse/goat today!  I think it's often easy to take for granted how fantastic our lives are with these amazing creatures around!!