It was above zero overnight and as the sun rose, it looked like the overcast skies would clear. By breakfast, bits of blue showed through the clouds. However, the temperature dropped a few degrees, just below freezing and the wind picked up. While my husband and I read the news after breakfast, the golden retriever grand-dog was getting anxious for her walk. Georgie's idleness lets us know it's time to hit the road or trail for that daily adventure into the great outdoors, regardless of the weather. "Watch the black ice," my husband warned. "It was icy in spots early this morning." The local weatherman warned the same on his twitter account. I put on the footwear with the most traction but not the ice grips. I was not prepared for the flash freeze. As we headed out, it started to snow from a huge black cloud over the neighbourhood. Tiny snowballs called tapioca snow, fell all around us. With the wind, it drifted across the road, making the ice more difficult to see. The pavement was a-glitter, a tapioca-covered skating rink. I gave Georgie some lead so as not to fall on her. It was all she needed. She pulled and off we went, dog with me at the end of the leash, propelled by the wind at our backs and the brute strength of this golden. Georgie had no trouble negotiating the ice as her claws dug in with every step. As I slid past the houses I was terrified. Frantic, I watched the road and the dog, hoping no cars would happen by as I was forced to go where my slide dog took me. In a panic, with visions of a trip to emergency in my head, I looked for a way out of the dilemma and noticed the lawns by the edge of the pavement. When Georgie swung by the curb, I jumped onto the grass and we walked there until we reached the houses behind ours and crossed home through the yards. Safe at last. Georgie slept for much of the day.   Submitted By: Marie Smith