It was cold today. I mean not too cold. My words are too short. I feel I should be writing something poetic about the approaching winter and I know that Smidge would say this with a whole lot more elegance and poetry but there was a wintry feel to the air that blew around our heads today. So we put Big Dog’s new coat on.
He had begun to actually shiver. He is old, and though he eats very well, he does not carry a lot of warming blubber. His blue coat may attract some giggles from his co-workers on the farm though I am sure that the mirth will be firmly hidden behind paws and wings because he seems to be quite happy with his coat. He has not tried to roll it off, or drag it along tree trunks. He trotted off to his bed in the barn, curled up in his blankets and went straight to sleep. 
After he told TonTon the Wellington Dog that if he so much as imagined a snigger, his head would be chook food. 
Daisy, as usual, watched the proceedings with sublime detachment. 
And Li’l Puss the Scrapper chose the wisest course of turning a blind eye. 
I forgot the Daily View. How did I do that? I remembered to take the shot of the thermometers and walked straight past the Daily View. Ah well. No animal was harmed in the making of this forgetfulness.
Many years ago I began to write a play about an old man who spent the summer living in a cherry picker raised up into the trees above his big old house by the sea, he would lower a flax basket down to his daughter-in-law, she would load it with food and books and he would haul it back up with a reluctant grunt of thanks. He very seldom spoke, and was full of crushing wit when he did, as he slowly worked his way through the grief of becoming old and the other various and sundry disappointments that follow us through a life.
This old man popped straight back into my head at 4 .30 this morning and asked ever so politely if I could write him into my NaNoWriMo Novel. Because he lives up on another level, and there are not very many characters in my story, he and his cherry picker are most welcome. He does not have a name yet though. He needs a name.
Have a lovely, lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
62 responses to “Big Dog’s Coat of Not Many Colours”
I can only imagine you trying to put a coat like that on TonTon…
I think Old Dog looks very dapper in his new blue coat.
🙂 Mandy
I am looking forward to your book. And sometimes cold weather just needs to be called cold.
I have been looking for a cozy coat from my own speckly dog–I love the one you found. Where? Nearly naked tummies are not comfortable in snow–even tho she is not very old–just 7.
I found it in target of all places, Quite cheap. So if it gets too horrid we can swap it out for another one.. c
Thanks–I’ll see if my local Target has her size–and color of course..
I love his little jacket….Our Otto boy is having a tough time after being neutered last week….he could use a little jacket like that I think!
I like Vivinfrance’s notion that an old biblical name would suit your surly (but despite his best efforts, lovable) curmudgeon. That’s a Fine coat that fine old dog is wearing. (I think i need to get one for our olden goldie.) And i Love the world as seen through Daisy’s eyes. Have a lovely though cold day Celi…it’s soggy as soggy gets here!
curmudgeon.. that is the word i was looking for.. c
Hirsh
Love it Cinders…so glad you found the coat for Big Dog and that we did not listen to our John!! :)) I think when it starts to get REALLY cold that all of Big Dog’s mates will want one of their own!! 🙂
I thought of you when we put it on The big Dog, he just stood quietly and waited until it was all strapped up. never moved a muscle. I tried to take it off him just before because the sun is out and he laid down on his side, put his head on the ground and refused to let me get at the velcro.. Ok i said. OK.. c
What a wise looking dog Big Dog is. He is a handsome guy. I’m glad he’s all warm and cozy too. He has the right idea. And I love the way your creative thoughts flow to you. It’s inspiring.
I looked at the Big Dog. I looked at ALL the animals, but today, most of all, I looked at the sky. That sky was a prairie sky. A winter sky. A sky a blue only to be seen on the prairies. For more than a few moments I was homesick for the prairies of Saskatchewan. Your words do that to me Celi. Your photographs do that. Pull out memories I thought were long buried in the world of forgetting. Virginia
I can’t help wonder about the bathroom facilities in a cherry picker….
he let himself down and crept in at night, however I suspect he also peed off the side with great satisfaction, he is rather a naughty old man!
🙂
The name will come to you…he will tell you his name eventually….I blanketed my horses when it
got really cold because I slept better…I feel so much better seeing the wonder dog in his coat !
Have a fun day on the farmy….wish I was there !
That shot of Daisy ranks right up there for me. 🙂
You can have it Jed. She does have the most wondrous eyes.. c
Beautiful pictures, Celi. And it sounds as if you have a fantastic NaNo book on the way. Very exciting.
I love Big Dog.
Big Dog breaks my heart. That face.
You don’t have any trouble with names, Ceci. I think your cherry-picker will be a welcome addition to your novel. I expect it will be riotous with eccentric characters.
I hope so.. I am dying to get started and see what happens.. c