Icy morning dog walks

Dog walking when there's frost on the ground, and the need is to pile on multiple layers before stepping outside is OK once or twice, but I'm rapidly getting rather over the novelty with the exceptional run of frosty mornings that are characterising northern Tasmania this winter. 

Needless to say Badger couldn't give a toss about the weather. He's raring to go regardless and his internal clock is well tuned to the time we normally set off, so it's a rare morning when he's not waiting patiently outside the back door - and if he considers I'm later than I should be he'll let me know!

For a breed that largely navigates the world with his nose (beagles have around 220 million sensors in their noses, compared to around 5 million in humans. Who knew?!), you'd think the frosty chill would kill some of those interesting scents that have him exercised and excited. Not so. He has his nose to the ground regardless, sniffing his way along the road, stopping only to lift his leg occasionally. Of course being only part beagle he might be a little lighter on with those nose sensors. Perhaps a mere 110 million . . . ?!

Regardless, he sets a cracking pace, so I have no trouble keeping warm. But I'll be relieved to see this unusual and very chilly weather pattern stubbornly hanging over the southern part of the country, move on. And I doubt I'm alone in that.