On your mark... get set... GO!

Every night Zoli and I have our last walk of the day... an easy stroll around the courtyard. No drama, no pulling. It's always very pleasant. When we get inside he will sort of look at me like... "Okay, are we sitting back down or is it bed time?" I go around and turn off the lights, TV and space heater and then... the race is on!!! (Lately, Z has decided that his spot of choice on the bed is MY side with his head on MY pillow!) We both take off running for the bedroom and basically whoever gets there first wins the prime spot. Believe me... I do not always win. I have to sort of trick him into being behind me when we hit the bedroom door. That is the only way I will make it to the bed in time to claim my spot. I've worked hard to create the perfect Homer Simpson dent in that bed...it's mine! If Zoli gets there first he is IMPOSSIBLE to move. I usually end up sort of curling myself around him...hoping I can grasp a few inches of blanket. If I'm lucky he will either readjust or flat out move when the lights go off. Last night he moved about a foot down and then stayed put! I contorted myself around him and off to sleepy land we went. I'm hoping for a better outcome at tomorrow nights race.

Snow, snow and more snow

One would think that two years in Russia would prepare Zoli for a snowy winter. I think his hot Bangladeshi blood is shining through lately! Stephen told me that Z liked to frolic in the snow... I have yet to see one ounce of frolicking. I have seen avoiding, tip-toeing, smelling, contemplating, but no frolicking! He will barely walk in it! We've had so much now that he really has no option, but he will avoid it at all costs. Our walks consist of Z smelling every inch of snow as he walks and me gasping for breath as I trudge through the snow (seriously, it's exhausting!). He will now just do his business right in the middle of the sidewalk since it is the best cleared area we can find. Good thing I am always prepared with doggy poop bags (every coat, every pocket of every pair of jeans!) So... three times a day I brave the winter weather - like a postal worker...neither rain, snow, sleet, etc. will keep me from walking master Z.