Of snow and body language

Hello Everyone,

We all know that body language can communicate a lot. We can read it even if we've never heard the term. We know it intuitively. Dogs are masters at it as well. Interestingly, most people aren't great at reading a dog's body language, though dogs are adept at reading ours. Sometimes though, it's pretty easy to see what's being communicated.

Watch people's body language in the snow and cold. Hunched over, hands in pockets, feet trudging along. Even for those of us who like winter, it can be a slog and the body responds accordingly.

But not for Arthur, he comes alive in the winter.

At the dog park the other day, there was another poor soul and myself, braving the blowing snow to give our companions some exercise. I had on my big winter coat, hood pulled up over my tuque. Shoulders, as mentioned, hunched.

Arthur, on the other hand, was chipper. He had a spring in his step, he was happy to roll around and sniff, and run about. Couldn't ask for a better day.

Many people complain about the snow and cold, but I rarely do. I like the winter. I can play hockey and go skiing. The air is crisp and refreshing. The snow muffles sound, so it's more peaceful. But fundamentally, I'm descended from a naked ape on the African Savannah. I just put on a jacket.

Arthur was born for this. He likes snow on his face, he likes to sniff the cold stiff breeze, he likes to rolls on his back and feel the crunch of snow beneath him. He's at home while I make the best of it.

I only like Winter. Arthur loves it.

wes