Water, Winter, and Things that Move

Ollie is a dog of many interests.  Today his interest in Water, Winter and Things that move, came to a potentially catastrophic intersection.

There is nothing that Ollie loves more than water.  He can jump in it, swim in it, play in it, drink it, drool it, and most fun of all shake it on people.  The first time we took him to a lake, he ran straight into the water, jumped, ran, swam, drank, drooled, and shook all over us.   

His water bowl is another source of great joy, part toy, and part drinking fountain.  In the winter in Montana large buckets of water freeze over in a few hours.  Not a problem if you’re a Newf.  It's just an excuse to put your paws into the bucket.  You get to play and drink.  Stomping the ice, creates ice cubes, and you get Newf diving.  Head in as far as it can go whatever it takes to get the ice cube.

Ollie loves winter.   When it’s 10 degrees and snowing, Ollie wants to be outside.   With his heavy winter coat, he is just comfortable. He thinks, I’m sure, the weather just turned off nice for a change.   Bring him in the house and 5 minutes later his at the door waiting out.  It took a long tine to get use to the idea that he was ok. It wasn’t that he didn’t like our company; it's just what Newfs do in the winter.

 Another interest of Ollie’s is things that move.  If it moves and I am doing it Ollie’s head is right in the middle of it.  Anything he can manipulate he picks right up on.  In no time at all, he had the gate latches figured out.  Knowing this I don know why it took so long to figure out what was going on. 

During the winter in Montana there is snow and ice everywhere.   A little extra ice is easy to miss.  One day however I noticed the backyard water faucet was running.   Had I left it on? No not during winter, you just don't do that here. My next thought was, maybe it got so cold and some how it broke the valve.   A quick turn on the valve and it went off.  I guess the valve was OK.  I must have left it on.

 Later that night before bed, I went out to check the water faucet again.  Still thinking something could be wrong with the valve.  Sure enough the water was running again.  I Turned it off and we all went to bed.  I knew now I hadn't left it on.  That was not a good night.  I kept waking up, listening for the water.  Next morning it was fine.  The next day however, when I came home from work the water was running again. I shut it off.  Later that night running again.  This was serious; we needed to get a plumber right away.  While were discussing if we should call a plumber that night or wait until morning, we hear the sound of running water again.  I head out the door to turn it off, and who is standing there getting a drink.  Ollie! 

“Look Dad, fresh water, no ice, no waiting.”  Just what any smart Newf would want.

Well off came the knob, right then.  Not another problem all winter.  I just hope I remember where I put it come spring.