Almost Spring

Yesterday was so warm that it felt like spring. I went for a walk in the pasture, and a butterfly flew past me! Bow and the dogs were all feeling the warmth in the air, and we all congregated outdoors.

But while Bow just wanted to sit in a high place and enjoy the warmth, Leo wanted to play, and he jumped high in the air and barked to draw Bow's attention.

I called Leo over and asked him to stop pestering Bow, and he came by to the other side of the pen, complying with my request. It was such a nice day that I even took my own turn on the swing. Brownie, who is no longer a young dog, walked by and dropped a rock he hoped someone would throw so he could retrieve it.

In some neighbors' yards, the daffodils are already blooming. But ours got burned in the grass fire, so it may take a little longer this year. That's okay, because there is snow scheduled for Wednesday.

Braving the Snow

It has been a very mild winter so far. But yesterday and today school has been canceled due to snow. It is a very small amount of snow, mind you. Just a very thin coating on the ground. Nevertheless, yesterday morning Bow was cautious and decided to stay in.

He helped me to continue proofing the new book,

After lunch, I took a very short walk to the mailbox to pick up the mail.

When I returned, Bow told me that he wanted to go outside. I was quite surprised, but I complied with his request.

Bow was not going to get his feet wet, snow or no snow. So he had me temporarily hold the door shut, and then he gingerly climbed from the dry stoop to the bench, without touching the floor of the outer pen. But that does not mean he does not like snow. He sampled the snow accumulated on top of the crossbeam support, and he found it was good.

Brownie just grumbled a little and walked away, but Leo started barking, hoping Bow would play chase. But Bow would not be goaded this time. He stayed calm. No way was he getting his feet wet! He was staying put on the bench.

Leo could bark all he wanted, but there was no response from Bow.

Of course, Bow did not stay there long. He came in to warm up in short order. This morning, after breakfast, Bow asked to go out again. But when he felt how cold it was, he did not venture out. He came back and asked for his blanket, instead. It's not a bad life.

A Compliment

Today is a good day. Don't ask. It just is!

It is warm and sunny, but not too hot. Bow spent a lot of time playing with Leo in the outer pen this morning.

Here is Bow starting his display. And below Leo responds eagerly.

Here are Leo and Bow bouncing up and down together.

But even when Bow has his feet firmly back on the ground, Leo lingers in midair.

Then, little by little they calm down, and the exercise is over.

After a period of calm, just for good measure, another less strenuous exercise session begins.

And that's just part of the morning. I mowed the backyard again. It is easier, now that it's not neglected. Ordinary work on an ordinary day. But there was a song in my heart, because someone had paid me a compliment.  A professional compliment on my achievements with Bow. And I'm not going to repeat it, but my heart was glad when after lunch, I went out to film the butterflies.

I was going for another view of one of those tiny little white-underneath-blue-on-top butterflies, and I sat down on the gravel of my internal road to film the butterfly in the grass. But another butterfly was clamoring for my attention, and it settled on my bare leg.

Talk about a self-selecting butterfly!

"Don't look at that other tiny, pale butterfly!" It seemed to be saying. "Look at me! I'm gorgeous." But then it flew away, and as I got up to my feet, I noticed that there was a butterfly on my shoe!

And then another butterfly came by and now there were two!

And then one of them spread itself out, so I could see just how beautiful it was.

When you have been spending your entire life chasing butterflies that eluded you, it is a real morale boost to have the butterflies finally come to you!

In the Swing of Things

Bow does not always use his swing to swing. Sometimes he just stands there holding onto it, to steady himself in a bipedal position.

In the picture above from yesterday, can you spot Leo in the air? It may be hard to see him through the grid, but that dog can jump! Bow is standing there, interacting with Leo, while Leo is three feet in the air, interacting with Bow at eye level. It is quite a sight to behold.

Bow has been enjoying his many outings now that the weather is a little warmer. It is not that warm, but warm enough. While Bow enjoys exercising and displaying, there are also many mellow moments.

Bow and Leo are good friends, and they interact often through the grid.

They seem to have a lot to say to each other.

But there are also the moments when they turn away from each other, each occupied by his own, solitary activity. Sometimes Bow remembers what a swing is for.

Bow can swing quite hard and fast and high when he wants to, but not when he is mellow.

When he is mellow, then the swing is like a hammock to lounge in.

Chimpanzees can live for well over forty years, and there is even one who has made it past seventy. Recently I spoke to someone who has been raising chimpanzees all her life. When I told her Bow was twelve, she remarked that this can be a rambunctious and somewhat difficult age. But, she said, if you stick it out with a chimpanzee past adolescence, they actually mellow out quite a bit! They become easier to get along with, but most people do not find this out, because they give up too soon.

Bow and I are not giving up. Our journey has just begun. Already, we have many fine, quiet moments together. It's all a matter of getting into the swing of things. When Bow needs his space to be rowdy, I let him. And when he is ready to be mellow, then I let him do that, too. This is a policy that seems to work pretty well.