Dogs, Cats & Humans Uncover Snow Joys and Challenges After the Blizzard

After last weekend’s blizzard, our entire landscape had changed. The snow was two feet deep in most places, except in the drifts, where three feet of snow dwarfed my dogs. The only way to get around at first was on snowshoes.

I took a walk around the front of the house:

The snow in front of the garage was more than thirty inches deep.

What our driveway looked like, from the garage, after the blizzard

What our driveway looked like, from the garage, after the blizzard

My car was almost completely buried.

Car buried under snow

Even with snowshoes, I sunk about a foot into the snow.

The rest of the cars didn’t fare that much better. Aaron’s car was surrounded, with a huge snow sculpture that hung about two feet off the back of his trunk.

Aaron's car had a cool drift that stuck out about 2 feet from the back of his car.

You can see how the snow blew against the windows in the background, nearly filling them up.

The drifting and blowing wind made giant craters around the bases of our trees.

Our home, after the blizzard, before the dig out

Our driveway is underneath all that.

By the time I got back from my front yard exploration, Brian was ready to start digging us out.

The digout begins; my husband starts on the driveway

You can get a sense of the depth of the snow compared to my husband.

I headed around to the back of the house, making a trail so the dogs could join me. We couldn’t go out the back door because it looked like this:

Snow piled against the back door with Lilah's reflection.

You can see Lilah’s reflection in the door.

We had already dug out the back door the day before, so my son and I could relax in our hot  tub in the middle of the blizzard. This was all fresh snow since the night before.

With my snowshoes, I made paths and the dogs followed behind, tamping down the snow further.

Jasper, Lilah and Tucker using a snow path after the blizzard

Jasper, Lilah and Tucker follow behind me. The snow was too deep for them to go bounding off chasing after squirrels.

 

LIlah and Tucker sit in the snow path after the blizzard.

Lilah and Tucker stop and rest.

Once the paths were used enough, the dogs could run through them — at top speed.

Lilah running in the snow path, with Tucker and Jasper behind.

It’s still a one-way route.

I think Tucker felt a little frustrated, though. There were chaseable critters, but he Just. Couldn’t. The snow was too deep.

Tucker is in deep

Tucker looks a bit perturbed.

Lilah didn’t really care how deep the snow was; she’s used to bouncing through snow. Though she did need to rest her weary head now and again.

Lilah rests her head on the snow

Lilah resting her head on the side of the snow path.

Still, there was much beauty to be seen; the sun casting shadows on untrammeled snow is something rarely encountered when you live with three dogs.

Sun casting shadows the morning after the blizzaard

A clear morning after the blizzard.

There were no doggy footprints to mar the snow’s unbroken canvas, so the tracks left by different visitors were easily spotted.

Squirrel trail zippers across the yard after the blizzard

This trail left by a squirrel zippers across the snow.

 

Footprints show a visit from a neighbor

Perhaps a fox?

 

Garden fence casts a shadow with bird tracks stitched through

I love how the little bird prints weave through the shadows of the fence.

The snow was fun from inside the house as well. Throughout the storm, I scattered birdseed for our winged friends. Afterwards, I added more, enlivening the programming on Cat TV.

Calvin and Athena watching birds in the snow

Calvin and Athena enjoy watching the special guest stars on Cat TV.

Once the dogs came back in, they watched the show as well.

Elsa Clair and Tucker watch wildlife eating the food I put out for the birds after the blizzard.

Elsa Clair and Tucker watch The Real House Sparrows of New Jersey.

The bird seed in front of the kitchen doors provided additional opportunities for birdwatching. Calvin discovered that hiding next the to scratcher encouraged unwary birds to get within pouncing distance.

The warm sun helped clear away the snow; as it melted off our roof, large icicles formed.

Snow melting off the roof created large icicles

The snow slide off the roof as it melted.

Aaron dug a path on the deck, through snow that was three feet deep in some places.

Jasper and Lilah walk through the deep path on the deck.

Jasper and Lilah walk through the snow canyon, hand dug by my son. Lilah had to stretch a bit to rest her chin on top.

In the next days, as the snow melted, the dogs found ways to reach other parts of the yard. Usually Jasper led the way, his long legs plowing through through the drifts, with his brother and sister following behind.

Jasper leads the way, creating a trail for Lilah and Tucker to follow.

It’s nice to have someone pave the way.

Did you get any snow? What do you pets think?

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11 Comments on "Dogs, Cats & Humans Uncover Snow Joys and Challenges After the Blizzard"

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  1. easy rider says:

    I can’t imagine to get snow much fun over night…. we had some once and Easy totally disliked it… but he ate it … better than nothing :o)

  2. Thanks for the pictures! This is insane. I heard about the snow storm; saw reports on the news, but I’m still blown away by the images I’m seeing. Wow! I love that you have paths. That’s something we would do as well.

    I saw a video last year of someone who made a maze in the yard for the dog to play in – such a great idea.

  3. Wow! That is an incredible amount of snow. All of the snow I’ve experienced in a lifetime doesn’t come close to your one blizzard! Those are terrific photos and I’m glad the dogs had some fun playing in all of that white stuff.

  4. da tabbies o trout towne says:

    guys…..thatz inn sane how much snow ewe getted….we hopes it melts over time & knot all at once ~~~~~~ ♥♥♥

  5. Emma says:

    We’re hoping for a big dumping tomorrow, but it won’t be as much as you got. We love a huge storm, but will take any snow we can get.

  6. That sure is a lot of snow! We don’t go outside so we only see the snow from the inside…and honestly, we’re grateful for that. 🙂

  7. Cathy Armato says:

    Wow, you guys really got hammered! The dogs look adorable in the snow but kitty is smart to stay inside.
    Love & biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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