The first heavy snow came the day before. I loaded the dogs in the truck and remembered to bring the chainsaw. 

I had to cut a lot of trees off the road to get back in by the big white pine where I like to turn loose. The rabbits had made short work of the pile of aspen branches I left there for them. Aspen bark is like candy for snowshoe hare. 

Clean white snow pulling on the pines like extra gravity. The dogs struggling but pushing snowshoe hare across the roads. First the rabbits. And then the dogs. There and then gone. Sucked in by snow and pine trees, taking their voices with them. 

Cold, hard country but so breathtaking. Like a good bottle of whiskey to an alcoholic. I haunt these woods with my dogs. Didn’t talk to another human being all day. Forgot to bring along anything to eat.

I don’t really fit in with people anymore. Just these beagles and wild places and the other animals that live there. Deer and rabbits and ruffed grouse keep me company, wolves are like the neighbors you can’t stand that won’t go away. 

It was different when Lisa was alive. The house was always full of people and good food this time of year. Puppies and kids and always something baking in the oven. It’s been nine years now. Most days it doesn’t bother me too much anymore.

I finished my chores, taking care of all the dogs in the dark. Let Lacey in and filled the wood furnace to get some heat in the house and went to the kitchen to try to find something to warm up for supper. 

Another Thanksgiving day come and gone.

Lacey just wants to rest but Lexie has other plans.

They really do love each other 🙂