Only the two blind Huskies, Dusty and Mitch, weren't complaining about the 32° below zero temperature this morning. But even they, like the rest of us -- animals and humans alike -- were anxiously waiting for the sun to rise over the ridge to the east and begin warming things up a little.
Here's what the thermometer showed:
Yep, 32° below zero (-35° C). Working outdoors in this kind of cold "builds character," as my mother likes to say. (Alayne says I'm a "character" alright, but not necessarily in the positive way my mother meant.) Even with "Arctic" gloves on, I could only scoop poop for about 10 minutes before having to go inside to warm up frozen fingers. I finally switched to double-layered mittens to make it possible to do the barn chores, which take close to an hour to finish. Needless to say, by the time Alayne and I finally headed in, we felt like human icicles.
The dogs, for their part, do the three-legged tap dance in these temperatures. They'll stand outside, holding up one leg, then putting it down and picking up another one, as blind Priscilla is doing here:
They do this because the ground is so cold and they want to keep their feet off of it as much as possible. We put them out first thing in the morning just long enough to do their business, and then usher them back inside. Even Dusty and Mitch put their Husky hubris aside and were ready to head back in.
Today's high was minus 3°(-19°C) but tomorrow we're going back up to 3° above zero (-13°C) and all the way to 14° above zero (-10°C) on Thursday, so we're getting ready to put the Bermuda shorts back on!
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Still No. 1 -- But That Iowa Group Is Moving Up Fast!
Please keep voting for the ranch every day in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge. Thanks to your votes, we came in third nationwide and won $3,000 for the animals in the previous contest earlier this year. Now we have a shot at No. 1 and the $20,000 grand prize in the current contest! Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana, and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Please ask your family and friends to vote, too.
You can see how fast the rankings can change, so we really need an extra push in the last two weeks of the contest to hold that No. 1 spot. It ends on December 20th, so we're in the home stretch -- and $20,000 for the animals is in sight! Thank you!
I'm not even going to comment on the coldness. Great image of Priscilla and the other dogs hopping legs on the snow.
I think wool pup paw protectors are in order. ; )
Posted by: boundforglory | December 10, 2009 at 09:32 AM
BURRRRRR! When it's to cold for Huskies you know it's COLD! Maybe this will help the beetle problem in the trees--now that would be a positive!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | December 09, 2009 at 02:47 PM
Brrrrr!!! Keep those home fires burning & everyone keep on dancing!!! Goodness, I admire you folks for keeping up with those outside chores to keep all the anipals warm & happy!!!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | December 09, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Wow! - OK, then - when we get the picture of you in your Bermuda shorts and Alayne in her mini-skirt, we'll know you survived. Please bundle up!!! - hope you have lots of hot chocolate on hand.
Posted by: Angela | December 09, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Good thing they've got your love to keep them warm! BRRRRRR.....we have a couple inches of snow here in KC but at least it is 30 degrees ABOVE not BELOW. Keep warm if possible.
Posted by: Marla | December 09, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Steve, I feel some of your pain! It was -12 degrees when I left for work yesterday morning and hit a high of 11 degrees at lunch. It was 2 degrees by 6pm. This morning was -13. And when it's that cold, the snow gets that thick crust that makes it hard for the dogs to walk through!
I hope you all keep warm up there!
Posted by: Linda | December 09, 2009 at 11:37 AM
I cannot complain about our lows in the teens in Tacoma! My cat Gabby sure does, though! Stay warm!
Posted by: Dawn | December 09, 2009 at 10:51 AM
You promised Unconditional Love and unending care. You didn't promise a sun warmed Beach with then fruity drinks with the miniture umbrella's. Stay warm and Happy Holidays.
Posted by: Eric | December 09, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Poor little Pricilla....once again, I am singing the Green Acres song ..."Doll, I love you, but give me Park Avenue"...
You guys bundle up and keep as warm as possible.
Posted by: Debbie | December 09, 2009 at 07:46 AM
So what do the doggies do during the day if they can't be outside? Do they all hang out together inside their cottages? Surely they're not all in YOUR house? Inquiring minds want to know...
Posted by: Heidi, Emmett, and Moxie | December 09, 2009 at 12:41 AM
I expect you have LAYERS of LL Bean, Carhart, Cabella, etc. clothes on. i admire you for working in that temperature. I admire you, anyway, but ESPECIALLY for working in 30 F below!!!!
Posted by: Consuelo Larrabee | December 08, 2009 at 10:35 PM
I'm imagining miniature stalls for the dogs in Widget's House. I bet those contractors that built the goat condo could build them!!
Please take care of each other, okay?
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | December 08, 2009 at 09:30 PM
Prisilla is saying "Ah do declare; mah sister and mah own self would appreciate wintering in our summer place in Augusta if yaw'll please".
Posted by: Bob | December 08, 2009 at 07:55 PM