As a Heeler, I of course know how to take over, organize, share my opinions, and generally let everyone know there is a Heeler in charge!
But I find the weather up here knows how to take charge, too. 
We’ve enjoyed a long mild fall, and just last weekend we were playing in the creek with the little boys. I love creeks, ponds and shade. Hard to believe I was once a desert dog, because this suits me so much better!
We went from glowing hills of gold and sunshine, 
to a prediction of rain, to a winter storm warning, and now a couple of days of snow. It is not deep enough to reach my belly, but hard to squat in!
When I arrived in March, there was still some snow, and then we had a major blizzard in April.
I thought it should be flower season, but we were struggling through drifts to get to the barn, waiting to get plowed out instead.
I find I do love snow, too, much more than mom, I think.
An appreciation of snow, like many things in life, depends on perspective and experience.
The little boys that come here to play with me love snow – sledding, snow angels, snowball fights, observing tracks, 
watching the animals come across the pristine fields to the woods at evening.
For kids, the perspective is one of joy, excitement, anticipation. I’m right there with them.
My mom and dad, on the other hand, view it tempered with years of experience, and a little weary dread. 
They tell me of years of hauling feed, putting out hay, chopping ice, getting stuck, trying to keep the house warm, the pipes thawed, and everyone safe against the frigid nights.
Even so, they begrudgingly value the moisture content, looking ahead to what it means later – much later – for green grass, full reservoirs, good crops. 
And I remind them, with yipping, jumping, dancing and laughing as only a Heeler can, to look upon this first snow with welcoming joy. Watch it fall in silent beauty, blanketing our world.
Let perspective and experience look back, way back, to the happiness a good snow brings to a child, or a dog. Oh, this round will likely melt, and we’ll return to a few weeks more autumn than winter. But for now, let it snow!
