"Dogs in Snow *as opposed to Pigs in Spaaaaace*" by Suet

These dogs are hunters. Not your ordinary unco-ordinated rush 'em and hope for the best hunters, these are tactical beasts.

Looking at them, all you see are fluffly bundles of wriggling joy. Down deep under the fluff lurks the hearts of lions. Well, you have to use your imagination here a bit. They are actually SMALLER than a real lion heart, but you catch my drift.

Mickie killed his first rabbit when he was 6 months old and has never let us forget it. He hasn't forgotten it either and you can see that faraway look in his eyes, Mighty Mick Strikes Again....

Molly is more your squirrel and mouse specialist, often appearing with a mouse hanging from both sides of her mouth. What with her, the buzzards, the owl and the fox, I am surprised we have any mice left. I think the mice should have read the small print in the Living Near A Cottage Contract before they signed up. Worse than being a Thompson's Gazelle in a wildlife film.

This dog may not like snow, but he is a fierce hunter. No bigger than a medium sized rabbit, he defends the property with the whole of his little body. I think he secretly thinks he is a rottweiler, secretly. He has a Big Dog Growl and is not afraid to use it.

This picture looks failry idyllic. However, Mickie tried to jump on top of the basket this morning when the lid was off and surprised himself by landing INSIDE the thing. A mad scrabble followed and he appeared looking sheepish, however a quick shake and a lick restored his composure and I found the lid for him.

Molly decided that once the coast was clear and the basket was safe, she would join him in the all important Scanning For Prey mode. We clearly were not going out for a walk this morning as it was too cold, so might as well settle down in comfort and try and spot a mouse eh? Bit like birdwatching while in the pub.

I love the laid back way these two take on the day. The only disruption to the relaxation is if they actually SPOT something. Mickie then goes into delrium tremens and nearly falls off the basket because he is shaking so badly, and Molly gets so excited she nearly wets herself. Similar reactions happen if you rattle a crisp packet at an inopportune moment.

It's a bit difficult when the snow is deep and you are a short dog. Poodles have the kind of fur that *ice balls* easily and very soon they are wearing little boots of snow....

If they stay outside for very long they need a long hot shower to warm up and de-ice....

Molly likes to wipe her nose on my carpet and chairs after she has had her dinner... she tried to do this and was a bit surprised that the *carpet* stayed on her face!

She doesn't really like to get her nails or hair wet, but sees it as a necessary evil.