Temporary move brings nature closer

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/12/2020 (894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief public health officer, has just announced the COVID-19 vaccine has arrived. However,  everything in the city is closed tight. All citizens were asked to refrain from visiting family, neighbours or friends over the holidays.

The city is drowning under the second wave of COVID-19 and now that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, the good doctor is determined to halt the rise of new cases.

My older son approached and asked me to come live with his family for a month. He resides a short distance away, in a secluded neighbourhood in West St. Paul. The area is filled with winding streets, green boulevards, interesting paths and many homes backing on to the winding Red River.

Fall is the nicest time to visit, but overnight this community has turned into a winter wonderland. The snow is deep enough to display the signs of wild animals in the area. I spotted the footprints of a coyote on the back deck last week.

I’m a person who longs to experience the wilderness in any form.

My other son, who is situated in the south end of town, lives near a small forest. He often relates stories of brief encounters with deer. A bird-watcher, he daily doles out seeds every season. Word soon spreads and assorted wildlife regularly visit to partake of the free buffet. He often talks about a family of foxes who have dug holes under his Gimli cottage and refuse to leave. They insist the abode is theirs.

I’ve often contemplated a move to the city’s edge to enjoy the wildlife but my oldest son’s two dogs and a cat will have to do in a pinch, but I live in hope of more exciting views and entanglements.

When I moved in here two weeks ago, the home’s animals gathered at the door to greet me with a great deal of barking and tail wagging. Walking them on the river walk may yield some interesting discoveries — or even a heart-stopping adventure or two.

Once settled, I observed the tumultuous scene. It seems the smaller of the two dogs is terrorizing the house. Last year, Chester bravely barrelled after an adult coyote. His masters ran screaming after him to stop. Were they afraid for the coyote or the pup?

Chester is a troublemaker for sure. The house resounds with his raucous barks. A Japanese Chin, who weighs in at six pounds soaking wet, he’s always ready to risk a few rounds with Marley, the rotund cocker spaniel. Lately he’s been making a beeline for Ninja, the ginger cat. I’ve upset the equilibrium of the house. Both dogs are fighting over me. There is taint of jealousy in the air as the house resounds with raucous barks.

Who can yell louder? So far it’s only spit and sparks. No one’s been hurt. No one except my daughter-in-law, who dived in to separate them. Wisely, the cat stayed neutral. He prefers to watch and wait to congratulate the winner. 

I close my bedroom door and pray for peace to envelop the world.

Freda Glow is a community correspondent for the North End.