Backyard Happenings

This doesn't really have anything to do with the main purpose of the post, but we got these pictures from Ripley's daycare this week of Ripley dominating the new kiddie slide they bought for Ripley specifically all the dogs to play with: 

Apparently he never leaves the thing, and just sits up there all day.  I can't wait until we find him on the slide in the backyard.

Speaking of backyards, Andy walked out the door last night to take Ripley out to pee and almost literally ran into our old friend right outside the door:

The people have spoken: his name is officially Bullwinkle. 

Andy was actually OUTSIDE with Ripley when he realized our friend Bully was right by the door.  Somehow he magically got Ripley inside before he noticed the moose (not the most intelligent dog, I'll admit) and pulled me away from laundry duty so we could watch Bullwinkle grab some snacks.

I really can't get over how adorable he is.  I love those little horn nubbins and his light brown legwarmers.

The animals were totally fascinated by him, just like last time.

After he ate all the low hanging branches from the right side of the yard, he spent a solid few minutes staring at us with his ears back, letting us know that he was not too pleased with the fact that we were watching him pig out.  I don't like people watching me eat, either, buddy.

...and then he got over it and set his eyes on the prize.

The dead tree in the backyard!  Know why it's dead? You'll see...

The middle of the tree has no bark on it because it's the perfect tree for little Bully to rub his stubby antler nubs on.

He spent about 5 solid minutes just attacking the tree with his head.

He also ate all the branches he could reach.

And then he sniffed his own butt for awhile, because he's male.

Bully ended up meandering back into the neighbor's yard and off into who knows where.  I'm glad Ripley and Andy made it out of the yard without getting trampled.  Sadly, the plants in the yard didn't come out equally unscathed.  I'm starting to see why most people wrap their trees in chicken wire.

In other (horrible) news, we woke up and it was snowing this morning.  It's mostly raining now, but this weather is just ridiculous.  If it's nice where you are, please enjoy it for us!