Our two rascally poodles now appear congenitally dishevelled, day by day growing increasingly so as their haircoat, as healthy little dogs, grows exponentially into a shaggy version of what a little poodle should look like. They last were groomed back in late November. And didn't they look svelte and elegant then? I'm pleased with the professional grooming, relieving me of decades of attempting to groom our little dogs, requiring endless patience, time and care. I was never able to achieve anything resembling a smooth haircut for them and it took no time for their hair to grow back unevenly. Done by professionals their groomed appearance is lasting and very much appreciated.

Nothing resembling how they now appear. We had scheduled a grooming for them, anticipating that this would be a 'normal', snowy, cold winter in Ottawa, for early February. In the knowledge that by then their appearance would resemble that of miniature woolly mammoths. But taking into account the fact that they roam about in a forested landscape for an hour and more daily regardless of the amount of snow, the wind and the cold, we figured they'd be better off shaggy and warm than groomed and miserable.

Just as well their next appointment is next week. And then we can struggle with the feelings of guilt overcoming us as we and they become exposed to the elements of early February, hoping that we've piled enough doggy garments atop their newly-shorn hair to maintain a level of comfort. In any event, their hair tends to grow in swiftly, so if they do miss the insulating qualities of their former comfort level it will only be temporary. And so will the occurrence of icy wind and snow as winter begins to wind down.

As it was we missed our stroll through the winter forest trails yesterday. We just thought it to be a trifle too cold for any of us to venture out, with whipping winds and a high temperature of -18C. Yes, the sun was out and while it warmed our house interior, gleaming its rays through our windows, it did nothing whatever for the ambient atmosphere.

The day before, on Sunday, the high was a reasonable -8C, and even with a wind, it seemed comfortable enough when we were out for our afternoon hike in the woods. The eye-dazzling spectacle of the snow-blanketed woods illuminated by broad shafts of sunlight making their way through the screen of trees is always magnificent to behold, and when we catch glimpses of the sun, a brilliant disk of penetrating light perched between dark tree trunks the sight becomes fantastically surreal.