We're in another cold spell -- last night was 26 below zero (-32 C), tonight we're forecast to be 28 below -- which means keeping the wood stove going during the day. I took the photo above of Daisy the miniature Dachshund trying to get as close as she possibly could to that stove. I had just started the fire not long before, which is why it's blazing away, but it hadn't really started radiating out a lot of heat yet. Before I got there with the camera, she had been staring intently at the glass door of the stove, as if she were encouraging it to heat up faster.
An hour or two later, the stove is now putting out a lot of warmth and blind Widget has found just the perfect spot to lie down and soak it all in:
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Some folks have asked how Beaver is doing without his brother Rooster. We were worried at first, given how intensely they were bonded, but after a couple of days of constantly looking out across the pasture for Rooster, Beaver finally re-focused on our small group of sighted horses. It helped that two of our sighted mares, Blueberry and Patches, were in heat that week. Having the two girls constantly coming on to him -- tails raised, bumping up against him, nickering at him -- diverted his attention away from his missing brother and towards the two shameless tarts. Yes, Beaver is gelded, but it doesn't mean he isn't going to notice that kind of behavior!
Glad to hear Beaver is doing well without his brother! I was quite worried about him and his emotional sense of well being. Thank you for the update.
Posted by: Mircat | January 27, 2009 at 12:17 PM
This made me smile. My doxie, Frankie also loves to snuggle in front of my petite gas stove in my studio. Her bed and blanket is right in front of it. Sometimes she will take her head and almost put it under the gas stove. She can't seem to get close enough. Those doxie's and keeping warm is top of their list!
~Barbara
www.frankiethewalknrolldog.blogspot.com
Posted by: Barbara Techel | January 27, 2009 at 10:44 AM
I have rats as companion animals and they have short lives--2 years usually. They are social animals and I usually keep at least two together. I asked my vet whether she thought they missed a departed companion or recognized that a brother rat was missing. I liked her reply. She said, and I paraphrase, I think they mourn for a few days and then they just get on with their lives. Simple, and the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. I think it applies for many animals. I have observed several times that the remaining rat keeps an unusually low profile for a day or two (a period of mourning) and then returns to his usual activities.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | January 27, 2009 at 08:34 AM
Getting hotter in here, alright, whew! Never underestimate the healing powers of a hot chick, regardless of species ;-) Seriously though, thanks for the update on Beaver.
Posted by: Tiny Dancer | January 27, 2009 at 08:22 AM
You guys stay in as much as possible and keep that fire going...I must say that it sure looks like a good place for napping...where's my couch???
Posted by: Debbie | January 27, 2009 at 07:33 AM
Daisy definitely looks like a model. Love Widget's spot. I would love to be cuddling with them in front of that fire. Man, I cannot believe how cold it is there. I won't even begin to tell you the temp today in San Antonio, TX but it is going to get cold tomorrow or at least according to our standards of what cold is in TX. I'm glad it didn't take Beaver long to adjust to life without Rooster. I hope Beaver heals fast.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | January 27, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Daisy and Widget look like they're covergirls for Wood Stove Magazine. :)
Posted by: Moon Rani | January 26, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Hey! I want to cuddle up and snuggle in front of that fire with Widget and Daisy. That looks marvelous. I am glad to know that Beaver is coping with the loss of Rooster. I am praying for his rapid recovery from the tumor.
Posted by: Cindy | January 26, 2009 at 09:15 PM