Awe struck by a dried rabbit ear. Nico’s Aunt Robyn and Uncle Shawn set him a package of treats for Christmas. When I handed him the dried rabbit ear (with fur and all), he gently placed it on the floor and then rubbed himself on it. After a few minutes of this, he chomped it down and had this awe-struck look on his face.

When you have dried slobber on your nose, that is usually a good sign fun has been had.

Nico waiting as I fumble to grab a treat with gloves on. He’s been having a lot of fun running along as I cross-country ski.

After three miles of all-out running, we practiced impulse control by waiting for friends on the ski trail. Nico has good obedience as long as there aren’t new and exciting distractions. If we could teach him how to chill out when new dogs and people are around, he would get to socialize even more.

Nico can’t wait for summer to fetch his new toy in the water. This Ruffwear Lunker will sit nice and high in the water, making it easier for Nico to see.

Nico is ready for Christmas morning.

The dog bed on the couch at work seems to receive positive reviews from Nico, though he occasionally slides off the bed. He lives a tough life.

One of my colleagues made treats for all the office dogs. Nico loves them and figured out where they are in the conference room.

Data analysis + dog = a great afternoon.

I tried putting Nico’s dog bed on the couch in my office; it seemed like a win. We’re still working on how to relax in an office with many other people and all kinds of noises.

Any night with a couch toy is a good night.

Sniff, sniff, sniff, look, sniff, sniff, look, sniff, sniff, look. This is how Nico moves around our yard, especially in the winter. The snow must change the scent landscape in a way that makes it much more interesting to be a dog. I assume it dampens background scents, making it easier to pick up recent happenings in the yard. If you know, let me know in the comments below!

I asked Nico if he knew what were in the presents under our Christmas tree and he just gave me a wink.

Shelly and I built a snow fort around our chiminea in our backyard. This is Nico inspecting the placement of snow blocks along one wall.

Snowday boredom. Playing with toys and snoozing all day has gotten boring.

One of my clients, Bark Eater Outfitters, sent me these sweet hats with one of my photos of Algonquin Peak across the front. Nico approves.

Eyes open, half-closed, or closed?

You would be amazed at the place Nico can fit into.

One of my colleagues is currently working in Antarctica and over the last few days, the temperatures in the Adirondacks and McMurdo Station in Antarctica have been very similar. Nico thinks that’s a good indication that it’s ok to settle in among blankets on the couch.

One thing I love to do when recreating outdoors is to pick interesting points I see on the landscape in the distance as future destinations for outdoor adventures. Today, Shelly, Nico, and I went to one of those places.

Shelly bought Nico what I refer to as a “couch couch,” which is essentially a dog bed that is meant to sit on a couch. Nico likes it but often lays straight on our couch instead. Today we decided to put it on our front bench, which gets nice sunlight in the afternoon.