The promised picture of Bates

Well, I finally am getting around to posting the picture of Bates covered in Snow. We haven't really had any good snow sticking days, so this picture doesn't really do him justice. Take a look between his front legs and notice all the balls of snow. Now imagine his whole underside, sides, neck and chin looking like that. We have to put up the baby gate when he gets that way and just let him drip dry. Of course, then he gets the shivers, so we have to wrap him in a blanket and put him by the fireplace. Aren't we suckers?!