Johnny Depp said, “The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.”

I have had several dogs through the years. Big dogs, little dogs, hunting dogs and just plain ole pets.  Out of all of them I never had a dog that loved me as much as my “ride” dog Kate.  My wife got me a Red-tri Australian Shepherd for me three years ago for Valentine’s day.  The White House has never been quite the same.

Meet Kate.  Here she is riding shotgun.  She takes her job very serious  She is a very good listener and very entertaining.  If I don’t take her with me she drives my wife crazy and becomes very unruly.  Her biggest downfall is that she thinks that everyone loves her and all other dogs adore her.  She is a bundle of energy and joy.  She tries real hard to talk but hasn’t quite managed to master the English language.

Here is Kate at a dog show.  My wife shows her and they make a great team.  She has one title in AKC Rally Novice where she had a score of 100%.

Here she is posing for a Christmas photo.  such a ham!

         

Yep she likes to have her picture taken!  The end picture is my wife, Kate and the blue ribbon she won.

Not everyone finds joy in the ownership of a dog.  In the White House they are considered members of the family and our world would be totally empty without them.  The house wouldn’t be the same without them.  They have brought us much joy and happiness and have earned their place in our household.  We have a total of 5 dogs and yes it can get quite crowded in the living room but that is the way we roll around here.

I just wanted to share the canines involved in our life who make life interesting.  Thanks for reading.

Below are pics of the rest of the crew.  I haven’t got any pics of our Blue Merle, Sioux, that we adopted from our neighbors.  I guess I am slipping.

                                

In order:  Bella- Blue Merle Australian Shepherd, Eros- our Great Pyrenees, Nick (our newest addition) Red Merle Australian Shepherd and the last is the pic of the Three Amigos.

The wind chill tonight into Monday morning is projected to be -15 to -25. I guess the old body isn’t what it used to be. The pain I have from the cold is just a reminder sent to the brain informing it that I am still alive.

Even with the pain and chill it saddens me that spring draws near. There are those who think I am crazy but that is just the way this old man rolls I guess. I miss cruising the river in the yak and floating a fly on the water in the early morning hours just at dawn. I miss the fight of the fish on the end of the line and the squawk of the heron perched upon a log, but I still have mixed emotions of winter fading into spring.

I love a walk in the woods after a snow storm. The peace and tranquility soothes my soul and makes me feel like a child again. The earth looks cleansed and at rest from the blanket of snow covering the ground. It gives me a refreshed feeling that I never experience from the other seasons.

My friend winter I will be saying goodbye to you soon and will be anxiously awaiting your return. Maybe I am crazy or maybe I see something in winter that others don’t.