It wasn't only us picking our way carefully downhill to enter the ravine early this afternoon. Jackie and Jillie were as careful as we were to avoid treading on the crazily tipsy, uneven surface that has completely iced over that was once a forest trail. They're no more anxious to glide and slide nor think of it as good fun to slip and slither downhill than are we. Because the temperature was so high at 1C, under a heavenly vault of blue hosting a blazing sun, no need for their boots. Without them in these conditions they have a better grip.

 

It's kind of interesting to watch them being quite aware of the conditions. Like us, they avoid the central portion of the trail system and look for patches of snow where a good purchase can be had without the fear of slipping. We'd never be able to negotiate this kind of landscape ourselves, without the use of cleats strapped firmly over our boots. 

 

Irving is able to dig more deeply with his cleats into the ice for safe traction when we can't avoid it, but since I'm smaller and consequently lighter in weight, my cleats don't make as much of an impression on the ice. Besides which, if, because of the uneven terrain your foot happens briefly to slant over, the uncleated part of the boot slips on the ice and fast upright correction is needed to avoid a fall.

 

It was lovely to be out earlier in the afternoon than we normally are, taking full advantage of the sun's presence high in the sky, the trees outlined against that deep baby-blue of the sky, the sun winking its rays down on us. Although the need to take care was paramount we were slowed down only on the descents not the ascents, nor on the level areas in the forest above the valleys of the ravine.

 

We had a scheduled appointment for Jackie and Jillie at the 'spa' attachment of the veterinarian clinic we take them to. For the first time in well over a year we were permitted entry, instead of having to hand them over  outside the door, and that was pleasant. They know the ropes, our little fellas, and though they aren't the least bit happy at being left there, they are resigned to it, and quietly adjust to it.

It takes about an hour and a half before we can pick them up again, after they've been bathed, nails clipped, haircoat clipped and they're ready to return home with us. So we use that time to do our grocery shopping, and were relieved today to find the store nowhere near as busy as it had been the week before. No shortages of anything, all the shelves packed with comestibles. Fruits and vegetables in display, in a store that satisfies all our grocery shopping needs.

 

Although Irving always tips the spa attendants generously, we thought we'd buy a tin of good quality Christmas cookies to leave with them, rather than a box of chocolates. When we returned to pick up our little groomed tykes there was someone there ahead of us. Walking up to the door of the establishment Jackie and Jillie could see us from the facing window of a small room they had been sequestered in awaiting our return, and they were excitedly trying to climb through the window glass.

Once we entered the vestibule-cum-front-office, Jackie raised a plaintive series of barks culminating in a long drawn-out moan delivering the message that we were taking our sweet time about it all. Once they were brought out to the front and reunited with us we were covered with frantic kisses and yips of 'let's go home!'.

So home it was, where they had their little afternoon salad while we went about unloading and putting away the groceries. After all the excitement, they eventually settled down into a snooze of comfortable exhaustion, and I set about washing their bedding, their old harnesses and too-small winter coats replaced by new ones.

 

 

And then it was time to pre-prepare dinner. Blintzes tonight, after a vegetable salad and followed by fresh raspberries for dessert. First the crepes (flour, salt, eggs, milk, butter) and then once they're done on one side, filled with a combination of cottage cheese, cinnamon, honey, egg yolk and butter. Done! Refrigerated until it's time to finish and saute them just before serving.