Newton is very small and by temperament retiring, given to shyness. He stands half the height of our two rambunctious pups. At first Newton was nervous in their presence and would retreat, rather than cope with Jackie and Jillie's obstreperous behaviour. Now he is able to tolerate their presence and even at times initiate contact. They see one another fairly frequently since Newton lives right beside the ravine entrance. On occasion Janet takes him for a walk in the forest.

We were surprised on Sunday to see Newton out with Janet and Mike, strolling on a nearby trail, heading back up the long hill out of the ravine to get to their house. I don't imagine we've ever seen them all three out with the little fellow on any other previous occasion. And because it was quite cold, just on the cusp of when Jackie and Jillie would need protective doggy boots, Newton was garbed in coat just like our two and Muttluks.

We stopped to talk awhile and as we were discussing neighbourhood matters, the three little dogs conferred between themselves as well. It didn't take long however, before Newton was anxiously looking upward at Janet, wanting to be picked up. Janet wore a kind of sling around her shoulders where she could tuck Newton in and carry him and he obviously wanted to be carried. Newton adores Janet and she is aware of his needs, not as offhand as she was with his predecessor, a naughty little dog that used to torment our wee Riley.

Yesterday, with a high of minus-ten, we decided since there was plenty of loose snow down that our two needed boots finally, and on they went. They were patient while the boots were fitted on their feet and halfway up their legs. At first they reacted as they always do; lifting their legs like Lipizzaner horses, quite comically, then falling into a steady stride, their legs acquiring confidence and speed, though still being carried abnormally, flung out to the sides.

They love the snow and ripped through the trails. Particularly Jackie, whose legs pumped swiftly through it all in a wild race of sheer joy. We could actually hear the regular sound of his booted feet hitting the trails as he romped about. Then Jillie lost one of the boots and it was refitted to her leg because it was awfully cold out. After another ten minutes of scrambling about, although Jillie was nowhere near as agile and energetic as her brother, the same boot came off again and was again replaced.

When it happened for a third time with the very same boot, we just pocketed the boot and went along, Jillie unaware and uncaring, both of them having a rip-roaring good time, as though the boots themselves gave them increased energy. On the upside, they're comfortably warm with the boots, and when we bring them indoors there's no dirty paws to contend with. On the downside the boots are a trial to fit onto their little paws and legs, time-consuming and a nuisance. But, as the old saying goes, 'Oh well!'

And I was enormously pleased to find that someone had kindly picked up the cleats that had slipped off my boot the day before which I hadn't noticed until we arrived back at home, and placed it dangling from a bare tree branch. I retrieved it and now once again have a pair of flexible boot cleat fittings, along with the more rigid ones that I like to avoid wearing if possible.