My Cozy Blanket Fort

A blog post by Josiah, the snuggly warm Yorkie puppy

One morning, Miss Janet put on all her sweaters and a big coat. She looked like my giant doodle friend, Beauregard, so big and puffy.

She told me, “It’s very chilly outside.” I didn’t know what that meant, but I’m always ready for a new adventure.

When she carried me outside, I sucked in my breath. What happened? Where did all the warm air go? It was all gone!

My whole body started to shake. I couldn’t make it stop. Miss Janet told me we wouldn’t stay outside long. She said I would play indoors in my playpen today. It was too chilly to play outside.

The Howling Cold-Front Monster

We went to the gate where the yard meets the meadow. Whoa! The wind was howling and fierce. I jumped back and growled. All my hair stood up. An invisible wind monster was attacking me.

Miss Janet said a cold front had come in. This happens when the leaves fall. She said it would be winter soon, and winter is often chilly. Then one day spring will come back again and make everything warmer.

I was born at the end of May, so all I’ve ever known is warmth. I don’t like this chilly cold-front monster. I am so glad to hear one day spring will come back again. Until then, I have to figure out how to stay warm.

The Joy of Warmth

When Miss Janet carried me back inside and opened the door, every part of me was shaking. As we stepped inside, I could feel the warm indoor air move all around me. It felt so good. I was so happy to be away from the chilly outdoors.

I tried to shake the cold off my fur, like I do with water. I shook and shook, but the cold was stuck to my insides. I looked at Miss Janet to see what we would do next.

Sometimes in the morning, I get to play in my playpen. Sometimes I go into my chill-time crate. And sometimes I get to sit in my dog bed on the couch. I was really hoping for my cozy dog bed this morning. I stared at Miss Janet and shook all over.

“Let’s get you warmed up,” she said and carried me to the couch.

I leapt out of her arms and dove into my dog bed. I burrowed down as far as I could get. The familiar smells and coziness wrapped all around me. The warmth moved in, and I stopped shaking. I was so happy to be warm again.

Two Blankets, Please

Even though warm air was all around me, I still felt chilly inside. Like a finger of that cold-front monster was still poking at me. I looked at Miss Janet and shook a little.

She took my pretty blue blanket off the couch and wrapped it around me. My aunt gave me that blanket on my Gotcha Day, so it’s a special blanket for me. I snuggled into it. It felt so cozy.

I looked over at the tan blanket on the couch. What would it be like to be covered up with two blankets? I gave Miss Janet my most pleading look. I shook a little under the blue blanket, made my face look all pitiful, and made a tiny sound—not the annoying kind, just a little baby puppy sound.

Miss Janet took the tan blanket and tucked it around the blue one. It was perfect. Waves of warmth moved through me and chased away the icy finger of the cold-front monster. Miss Janet said I looked cute and cuddly in my blanket fort.

I burrowed way down under the two blankets, where no chilly air could get to me. Not even the memory of chills could bother me in my blanket fort. I didn’t want to move till spring came home.

It’s Nice Indoors

Eventually, I got hungry and hoped Miss Janet would bring my food bowl over to me. She told me I had to be a grownup puppy and go eat at my bowl. It wasn’t so bad. Miss Janet had lots of warm air blowing inside.

After I ate, I got to burrow in my blanket fort again. I’m supposed to rest after my meals, so my digestion works well. I don’t always like having to rest, but I was very glad to get back into my blanket fort.

Later on, I got to play in my playpen. It was nice and toasty from all the warm indoor air. I even wanted to eat one of my favorite ice cubes. It felt like a normal day indoors.

When I was done playing, we had to go outside again. I didn’t like visiting the cold-front monster. But I felt stronger because I knew my blanket fort was waiting indoors. The monster might make noise and blow on me outside. But he couldn’t get inside to my safe and snuggly blanket fort.

I noticed my animal friends were out in the pasture. I worried about them. They have to stay outdoors all the time. They must be chilly!

Miss Janet said they are okay. They grow thick winter coats, and they have a barn with hay and blankets. The chickens have a giant blanket for their crate with a heater inside. I felt better for them. But I was still very glad I get to live indoors.

Not Always this Chilly

Miss Janet told me really good news that where we live, it’s not always this chilly. Sometimes the cold-front monster takes a nap, and it gets a little warmer. Sometimes he may even take a vacation, and it really warms up. So winter doesn’t always feel like today.

She said in other places, winter is worse. She has lived in some of those places. I’m sure glad I get to live here. I hope the cold-front monster takes a nap soon.

As soon as we got back indoors, I dove into my blanket fort. It didn’t take as long to stop shaking this time. I felt safe and settled.

I am so glad Miss Janet understands blanket language and helped me build my blanket fort. As I snuggled in my dog bed, she sat next to me on the couch and covered herself with a matching tan blanket. We both had blanket forts!

The cold-front monster continued to howl outside. I don’t know how long he will stay before spring comes home, or how often he will nap. But I feel warm and protected in my blanket fort. I am very thankful I have such a cozy home.

If you have a cold-front monster where you live, I hope you stay indoors and build a blanket fort.

Stay warm and snuggly!

Josiah