I got this photo of little Bailey this past weekend, soaking up the sun along the front wall of our house, which faces south. We have a big, wide gravel pad there in front of the house we call "the beach," and you can see how the sun has begun melting the snow, exposing more and more of the beach. We've been enjoying some freakishly warm weather recently, and when I took that photo of Bailey, it was probably in the high-40s -- and even warmer in the sun against the wall.
Bailey is one of the original sun-worshippers here, and he loves being outside, no matter how hot it may be -- as long as he has a little shade. But he couldn't believe his luck this weekend, with bright sun and warm temperatures in the middle of winter. So soak it up he did!
As I write this, about noon on Wednesday, we've already hit 50°(10° C). We can't recall it ever being this warm this time of year. While we -- and all the animals -- are enjoying it, the shrinking snowpack in the mountains is a major concern. As of February 1st (the last reported data), snowpack in the Blackfoot River basin where we are located was only 68% of normal, the fourth lowest on record ... and that was before we had these recent incredible warm spells. That increases the risk this summer for forest fires, for fish in rivers and streams, and for irrigation.
Fortunately for Bailey, he doesn't have to worry about any of that stuff -- all he has to do is enjoy the warm sunshine. And now that the "shoreline" along the beach is exposed, we've put cots and beds out there. But no beach umbrellas yet.
---
Please vote for the ranch in the Shelter Challenge -- and you can vote every day! We're currently in third place, putting us on track to win $3,000 for the animals. Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT, for Montana, and it will bring up our listing.
Vote in the Shelter Challenge here.Last year we won $3,000 in the first round and then won the $20,000 Grand Prize in the second round, so your votes really do add up and make for a wonderful gift for the animals here.
Thank you!
Ummmmm.....almost sounds like you are unhappy about the warm weather Steve......bite your tongue sir! Here is KC, there are usually a few days per winter I can put the top down on my car but this winter has been hideous. We will take the sun whenever we can get it!
Posted by: Marla | March 04, 2010 at 08:08 PM
Oh, little Baily you sure do make a gorgeous beach bum...now it's time to get Steve to get those beach umbrellas out there along with the "dog-aritas"!!!
I understand the sun worshipping. My cat moves from room to room as the sun moves!!!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | March 04, 2010 at 07:24 PM
The snow looks like a foamy wave coming on shore! Watch out Bailey!!
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | March 04, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Bailey is practicing to be a Cabana Boy... or Dog. "Oh, excuse me cute little Cabana dog Bailey, may I please have some more kibble?"
Posted by: Penny Heinrich | March 04, 2010 at 11:38 AM
What a darling picture! Our min pin Katie loved sun soaking!
Posted by: Michelle | March 04, 2010 at 11:22 AM
No beach umbrellas yet??? Get on the ball, Steve!!.....and remember to pick up your twine!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | March 04, 2010 at 10:36 AM
OK for all you guys do there for your furry family, I will know you have gone to far when I see a post with a picture of Steve in shorty shorts and a white Shirt being a Cabana boy serveing fruity drinks with little umbrella's and Doggie treats to the critters on the beach while sunning themselves on recliner chairs. There is a line.
LOL Be Safe and be Warm
Posted by: Eric | March 04, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Hey, I wanna come hang on the beach with Bailey too!! Just like Bailey, I love it hot, hot, hot, too! Sometimes my papa jokes as I lay in the sun and he says, "Do I smell bacon cooking?" Very funny, papa. No, it's just me, you silly! Geesh, I don't think I smell like bacon, but sure love to eat bacon. yum!
Do you surf Bailey? Let's catch a wave sometime!
Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
Posted by: Barbara Techel | March 04, 2010 at 09:44 AM
What a great picture of Bailey enjoying the sun. Soon you're going to have a bunch of the dogs out there soaking it in. Time to put out the cabanas and lounge chairs!
Posted by: Ann | March 04, 2010 at 02:48 AM
Okay, was just on the Best Friends website (http://www.bestfriends.org) and there's a story in the right-hand column under "News and Features" entitled 'Enabled by love' about RDR!!! It's the slide show that Steve gave us a preview of last week. Go check it out!
"Be careful, you may have to leave your heart there."
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | March 03, 2010 at 09:06 PM
Wow! Cute pic, and will definitely trade you the warm temps for the cold ones in DC. We've had record snowfall and an unusually cold winter. Ugh! Spent half the winter shoveling not our driveways, but our back yard so the dogs could take care of business! Glad to see Bailey is enjoying the sun!
Posted by: Paul, Becca, Sweet Pea and Rocky | March 03, 2010 at 08:48 PM
Ah, yes, the seduction of "almost" Spring. And then you get walloped with another blizzard . . .
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | March 03, 2010 at 08:47 PM