It was time for us to head out again to replenish our stock of wildlife feed. Which means a drive out to the rural location of our local feed and seed emporium. Irving mused he might as well pick up some bunny pellets while he was at it. It's turned into yet another very cold day. Environment Canada has changed course, from informing us a few days ago that early February will be milder than normal, to now telling us that this extreme cold weather is set to continue.

 

So, -21C this morning, but the temperature managed to shove its way up to -16C by early afternoon. With the wind chill factor that would be adjusted to -23C. But we had a clear blue sky and the sun sat high in its throne transiting the ocean of blue and while neither wind nor sun are able to make their full appearance inside the forest interior shielded by the forest canopy, wind has a better chance than sun.

 

 

Visually, an absolutely stunningly glorious day. And driving out to Ritchie's in the eastern suburbs of the city, we wouldn't be anywhere near where security authorities tell us to avoid; the city centre, and of course highways that give ingress to the downtown of the city. Which is being swamped today and tomorrow by the presence of trucks driven by aggrieved long- and short-haul truckers from east to west of the country. Protesting against the nonsensical mandate of COVID-19 restrictions insisting that all truckers be vaccinated. 

 

An estimated 90 percent of all Canadian truckers are vaccinated against COVID. Those that prefer not to be are placed in the position of having no employment. This, at a time when the industry is looking for thousands of new truckers to move critical goods around the country. Complicated by the fact that our largest trading partner, one from whence the bulk of our fresh fruit and vegetables come from (along with Mexico), in a marketplace of rising fuel prices and haulage and maritime bottlenecks are contributing to higher prices and less food accessibility.

 

So we thought we'd tend to first things first, and that would be taking ourselves out for a brisk winter hike through the ravine. Layered under our winter jackets to the extent we feel like mummies. Hoping that this time the pervasive cold wouldn't penetrate. Irving made sure he had refreshed his cookie cache and off we went.

Jackie and Jillie are very well aware of that cache, and we're barely into the trail leading down to the ravine's forest when they begin clamouring for treats. That's the first installment; a second to follow shortly afterward. And after that, they're good to go. It's nothing short of emotional blackmail. But their lust for cookies satisfied, they turn their attention to catching up on the messages left hither and yon on any protruding low-level branches of trees we pass, or tree trunks containing the latest canine gossip.

 

These brief pauses are just fine; they're endowed with four legs to our two, and by the time we catch up to them, they're back in motion again. This time, on the lookout for the presence of any injudicious members of the wider community who may have ventured into the forest without seeking proper permission from the two little guardians of the forest.

It's usually Jillie who sets off in full voice, scolding and imperious: do  you know who we are? Nature has entrusted them with the well-being of the forest and it is their prerogative to allow others to roam freely, or hold them to account for gross impertinence. Fortunately, most people find this amusing, as we apologetically explain it's a breed-specific behaviour that no amount of chastising on our end can cure.

 

And the dogs accompanying these people usually realize that the two little pipsqueaks' ranting while annoying, is harmless. Nothing that a good sniffing session at unmentionable parts cannot satisfy. Eventually, we made our way back home again. When it was time to reward our companions for their exemplary behaviour, with their daily afternoon fresh vegetable salad.

 

Once done, their anxiety over our taking obvious steps to leave the house again was assuaged when they were invited to accompany us. And so we drove out to Ritchie's Feed & Seed. The parking lot wasn't as full as it often is for which we were grateful. Irving put on  his N-95, and rubberized gloves, and soon returned with two fifty-pound bags of peanuts, and a five-pound bag of bunny pellets. As a trial, to see whether the rabbit would eat it along with the carrots Irving puts out for him.