The first snows of the season frosted the pines in the foothills of
Colorado this morning. Usually these arrive in mid-September, so they
are a bit early this year as were the late snows of June a bit late,
making summer very short this year.
Zima has mixed feelings about the coming of winter. She loves to play
in the snow, but this is a difficult time of year for her. Many humans
move out of the small mountain community where she has her friends to
larger cities and towns during the winter. Animals like squirrels
are busy and don't have time to play. Her other canine friends are
often kept indoors and food becomes scarce.
But Zima knows it is important to prepare for winter. For each bone
that is 'et at least one is kept. For each moment of leisure, there
must be one of seizure. This morning, Zima came over wet and cold and
hungry. I gave her three bones, the first two she buried for tomorrow,
the third she finally gnawed.
The trouble with getting wet in winter is that it is hard to
get dry. After a walk and a dip in the river in the summertime, Zima
dries quickly with her short coyote coat. But in winter, the rain
just sits there refusing to evaporate and making for a cold, miserable
day. So all Zima can do on days like this is to go to her den and
sleep and dream of summer's return.