It was a weekend, and as was want for our particular circumstances, we took a trip to a local state park. Our pack, consisting of our three Shetland Sheepdogs and a tri-color Collie, of course accompanied us. Out of the van, onto a trail that meandered through the idyllic woodland trails, we spent a relaxing hour exploring our environment. We walked past a variety of trees, multitudes of bushes and shrubery galore that would set an ecologist at peace with Mother Nature. Just about all were denuded as it's the winter season, but with the advent of Spring a mere 2-3 months away, we're certain foliage will re-appear when things warm up a bit. We also passed a man-made lake, fringed with ice. As we watched the pack wondering what the heck this phenomenon was, our recipe for a Sheltie on Ice was born.

Most of the ingredients can be found around the house, so don't fret. So, here we go with our trademark recipe called a Sheltie on Ice:

• cold weather clothing
• transportation (car/van)
• pack o' Shelties
• state park
• body of water
• weather colder than 32 degrees
• camera (optional)

Assemble your cold weather clothing; you don't want to have to return to your vehicle because you start freezing your a** off. Bring your pack of Shelties out to your vehicle. Three dogs are the preferred number but any amount will suffice. Make sure dogs are safe for travel...we put our in crates for security. Drive to the state park. Make you way to the body of water. Of course, if it's been 32 degrees for a day or so you'll find the edges of the water will be frozen. Test surface with your foot. If it supports you, you might want to let your dog walk out for a foot or so. And, now, what do you have? Why, a Sheltie on Ice, of course. Don't forget to take a picture of your creation if you have the optional camera. Here's our picture of what our concoction looked like after bringing all the stated ingredients together:

Sheltie on Ice

If you want, you can substitute a Collie in place of the Shelties. Here the same recipe noted above with a tri-color Collie substituted for the Shelties. It's aptly called a Collie on Ice:

Collie on Ice

If you're adventurous, you can probably substitute your own brand of dog and get similar results. For the record, use caution 'cause we don't want to hear of any mishaps by miscreants who are just plain stupid and for whom the gene pool hasn't yet effectively prevented their feeble efforts toward procreation. After all, Darwin was right. Some day the human race will be rid of stupid people. But it may take a few years (and a little less intervention by our court system).