The winter months in Scotland can be dark and depressing, even for the most cheerful of us. It can feel hard to get out of bed when there is less than seven hours of daylight. But that’s the great thing about having a dog. Weather and light don’t phase them. Any day that includes a run outside is the best day ever. Sometimes, I wish life were that simple.

That’s what I thought about when I made this little winter postcard with our dog Rubee. She loves the snow. Loves the mud. Loves the wind, rain, cold, sun, sleet, hail, dark, cold, warm, sticky…whatever. She’s just happy to be alive.

Maybe that’s why so many people in Scotland have a canine companion. You can’t help but be lifted up a bit by their attitude.