Summary

The weather warms up some, but continues to be stormy and snowy. At one point in February, the snow piles up in drifts and it takes Sweetland days to dig out. Finally, there is a thaw. The radio forecasts, as usual, are not reflecting what he is experiencing. This disturbs him.

He is comforted by the presence of the dog. The dog is sometimes gone all day, but always comes home at night to sleep in the daybed with him. The only time he allows Sweetland to pet or groom his fur is in the early morning before they get up. Otherwise, the dog is not affectionate or cuddly. Sweetland thinks about how the intact dog is out every day, probably looking for a female companion that doesn't exist. This fact reminds Sweetland of how he used to worry about Jesse being...