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Today was one of those great-walking-in-the-snow-days. Know what I mean? Cold, but not biting. Fresh, fluffy, snow with just a little stickiness. Blue sky with some wispy clouds.  Besides, my other option was to stay home and finish painting the front closet.

But that's just me. I wear a down-filled parka and a pair of old boots by Pajar (no, not while I'm painting.) This makes me toasty warm on these excursions. If it was all up to me we'd stay home and watch the snow from the inside. Preferably in front of the fire with a good book and a cup of something hot. And alcoholic. I know the dogs are with me on this. They don't have much in the way of body fat or underfur, but one puppy plus one boisterous 4-year old dog means you go outside whether or not the going's good. Anything 'warmer' than -10C means we go. Oh, right, I'm supposed to tell you we also don't go in the rain. Duh.

Last weekend, this meant we were out in the windstorm of the century. Granted, we didn't realize how windy it really was until we got to the park in the open and there were Christmas tree sized branches scattered about on the ground. We didn't stay out long.

As I was saying, today was a terrific day for a romp in the snow. I wore mittens because they were in my pocket from when I shoveled the sidewalk this morning. And the driveway (did I tell you the front closet needed to be painted?). Mittens make button pushing a bit of a challenge so some of the shots I was trying to take didn't get taken in time. On the other hand (ha ha) I ended up with some gems I didn't even try for. I love mittens.

This pretty much exemplifies Rory. The look in his eyes, the expression on his face: the focused insanity that is typical of Rory. The ears are just a bonus.

The park we frequent has a pretty steep hill down to the river in some spots. The blurbs of fencing are a nice touch, but realistically, you need to be careful near the edge. Gotham knows this. Rory fancies himself a bit of a daredevil.

What Gotham also knows is that this is entirely a ruse. Edge or no, Rory will make like he just found the most interesting delicious bit of rabbit poo and poor Gotham will be unable to help himself. He'll be compelled to go over and investigate. And when he does all bets are off. Unless you`re betting on Rory. Not much for the mercy is our Rory.

Gotham did end up going for a tumble today. Luckily there are a lot of bushes and shrubby grass and snow to ease the way. Oh, and we weren't at the steep part. Not to be outdone, Rory went flying after him to show him the way back.

Here is Gotham thinking that Rory must have had enough by now. Not. Flying snowdog.

This is where Gotham is in his element. He must think he is still Little because he loves running through the copses  - dodging this way and that - and he knows Rory won't come in. Rory waits for him on the outside, our hero not being a fan of having branches dump their load of snow on him and then smack him on the way out.

They aren`t always at a flat-out run. Sometimes, stillness prevails. That, or he's trying to figure out why his little kiwis are so cold.

Then it's right back to one more demonstration of brotherly affection before we head home.