Cold it most certainly was, at -7C with a stiff wind when we set out for the ravine yesterday afternoon. The wind was brisk and the air icy so even walking the short distance up our street to access the entrance to the ravine and the forest beyond we felt our faces constantly whipped by the wind. The street underfoot is unevenly thick with ice, so that even there our cleats strapped over our winter boots are needed for good footing.

But the sun was out in a clear, blue sky and if not for the wind the cold would have felt passable. Entering the ravine and descending the first long slope into the forest does gain us shelter, however. The howl of the wind can still be heard up hill in the forest canopy, but its physical effects toward the forest floor become quite muted. In the thick of the forest the wind's effect is far less palpable, although the accumulated snowpack does have its own effect, radiating upward its own cold to join that of the ambient atmosphere. So a cold day it certainly was, one warranting boots for Jackie and Jillie.

We're glad we discovered those tiny rubber boots, they make all the difference in comfort for our little dogs. Not as difficult, though still picky to draw onto their little paws, they're far more effective than the expensive, 'especially engineered' and expensive boots we had been using, in a futile effort to keep their paws protected. On occasion during the coldest and underfoot-iciest times of the winter we do on occasion come across bloodied paw tracks of dogs, the obvious result of ice-sliced pads. Moreover, salt on the roads meant to melt ice also plays havoc on the feet of dogs. When they pick up salt and then walk on the icy trails they suffer excruciating pain from the double effect of freezing paws.

So when we go out with our two little fellows in such cold weather we're grateful for the protective qualities of the boots that never, ever fall off as the others were frustratingly wont to do. And attempting to replace fallen boots on shivering little paws with bare hands in sub-zero temperature isn't a whole lot of fun for dog or human.

We were a little earlier out than usual and came across quite a number of people out with their dogs, among them Rob and Nova, a pure white German Shepherd, not yet a year old. He becomes so excited to see his friends, he races toward us but even at his age is careful to avoid a collision; obviously aware of his own muscular strength and that cannot be said for all large dogs. He tends to circle us, nuzzle our hands, sniff Jackie and Jillie vigorously while they complain, then they do the same to him.

Rob told us that the day before when Nova had come across dogs he was familiar with, he simply forgot who he was supposed to be walking with, and remained with the other dogs. Rob went through his usual circuit, looking anxiously for Nova, calling for him, but there was no response. He ended up at one point walking with Barrie, with his three well-trained Border Collies none of which would ever stray far, hoping that their presence would entice Nova to return, but no luck.

Eventually, before reaching the end of his circuit he came across another acquaintance and when he asked whether she'd seen Nova, she said not only had she seen him unaccompanied but she took him back home and left the dog with Rob's wife. Disbelieving, when he returned home, Nova tried to convey to him his eagerness to return to the ravine for another walk, instantly. A request Rob chose to ignore.

So yesterday Rob was in two moods; incredulously laughing at Nova's lack of discipline which he also, though unmentioned, interprets as wavering loyalty, and simmering low-grade anger with Nova for failing to respond quickly and positively when he's called. Several times Rob put Nova on leash to try to convey his displeasure at just that kind of repeated behaviour.

And every time, after we'd parted, that Nova suddenly appeared on the trail we happened to be hiking across at a few points without Rob in sight, we greeted him but also urged him to return to Rob, which, like the good puppy he is, he did.