Walking is good!

The rain is gone! I'm so happy that first thing this morning I could go outside and not get wet! I know I'm a Labrador Retriever and we like water, but rain is not water. Rain is rain. It falls from the sky. Water is in the creek. That's the fun stuff!

Mom was happy the rain was past, too. I knew when she got her straw hat, the one she sprays bug repellant on, we were going for a walk. I love to go for walks with Mom!

We live out in the country so we have lots of places to go where we don't see cars. Mom knows all the best roads and paths, and where the best spots in the creeks are. We were out for almost an hour and didn't see a car or a person until we got back to our road. I didn't have to go on the leash once and I think that's a good thing. Being more mature is starting to pay off with extra privileges. 

Mom took a video to show Dad how I keep an eye on her when we're out alone. I always look back to make sure Mom is where she's supposed to be. And when I go to her and sit, I get a treat! 

When we got back, Cousin Dave had Bella with him. I think I scared her because I got all excited and wanted to play. I ran around and around and she wouldn't join me. Maybe some day. She's younger than me, you know. 

I was pretty tuckered when I got home. I stretched out on the floor beside Dad's recliner and took a quick nap. I did earn it, after all. 

I'm Deuce. Helping Mom get all her steps in for the day is what I do. 

Rain, rain go away

I think the fun Saturday I hoped Mom and I would have is a bust. It's been drizzling all morning. Mom says it's dreary. That may be so, but it's also very boring. It's Saturday. Mom is supposed to do fun stuff with me on Saturday. 

I asked her as nicely as I know how to take me for a walk but she said she needed to check the radar. I wasn't sure what "radar" was code for, but now I know. 

I do not like radar. Checking the radar means I don't get to go for a walk. Radar means more rain is coming. 

This is going to be a long day. How many naps can one energetic pup have in a day? I guess I'm about to find out. 

The end of the free range puppy

It happened just like Mom and Dad said it would. They installed railing on two sides of the sunroom porch. I'm staring at the deer through bars. It's the end of the free range me. 

Mom's rolling her eyes at me. She says it's not that bad but she's tall enough to look over the bars...er...railing. Does this look like my happy face? 

I guess having railing isn't all that bad. I can still see the deer but they can't see me. Or maybe they can but since I'm behind bars they're not scared of me. They forget I'm descended from wolves. 

It could be worse. Mom and Dad could put railing up on the center section of the deck. Maybe I shouldn't give them any ideas. That section is only a couple of inches off the ground. I'd have to be really careless to slide off that part. And the part of the deck at the front door is only about a foot or so high. I jump on and off there all the time. Watch out for the rose bushes, though. They're sort of thorny, if you know what I mean.

Mom says that by Saturday morning I'll be used to the railing. She says she'll take a treat jar outside for me while she has her coffee. We'll just see about that. 

I'm Deuce. I know a bribe when I hear one. 

A Saturday Morning Stroll

It's been raining for days and days and days and days. Rain is sooooo boring! I've been stuck inside except for really short trips to do my "outside" activities and few rounds of Frisbee and ball between showers. Did I mention I've been bored? 

Anyway, it was cloudy this morning. Mom said it wasn't going to rain and we were going for a long walk so I could burn off some energy. (I think she was antsy, too, but don't tell her that.)

Mom has a special little purse she takes on our walks. It carries her cell phone and treats for me. She got it ready, sprayed on some bug repellant, and off we went. 

First off, we saw cousin Dave out in his yard checking to see if the grass was dry enough to mow. We said hello and moved on. Then I jumped into the creek above the dam cousin Chris built. The water is really deep now! After my swim, me and Mom went into the woods. We went a bit farther than we usually do and it paid off. We saw a spotted fawn! 

I wanted to run up to it and sniff it all over but Mom said no. She said it was so little I'd scare it so I listened to her. She tried to take a photo but it ran away before she could. She said it was okay because she already had a baby photo in the file she could use for my blog. It was pretty cool to see a newborn fawn. I'll try to remember I shouldn't chase the babies. 

When we got home, Dad wanted to go to Lowe's so we all jumped in his pickup and went. It didn't take us long because Dad knew exactly what he wanted. 

I was really tired after that. I stretched out under Mom's desk and took a nap while she worked and Dad mowed the grass. Maybe we can go for a long walk again tomorrow. That would be great because I might get to see the fawn again. 

Dogs know about freedom, too

And I thought it was noisy on New Year's Eve! Boy, was I wrong. Saturday night was the worst! 

So humans here have this thing called the Fourth of July. Independence Day.  It happens every year but I'm not sure I remember anything about it from last year. Of course, I was just a little guy then.

Mom was going to buy me a special collar for what she calls "the holiday weekend." It would have been okay with me. Maybe next year.  

Anyway, this Independence Day is a Big Deal where I live. The neighbors light up firecrackers and have parties with bonfires. The dragstrip has fireworks that are really loud. They echo off the mountain but that's better than the firecrackers that make annoying popping sounds. 

I wanted to run and go see what was going on but Mom and Dad said I had to stay in the yard. They're both happy I'm not scared when I hear a loud BOOM. What's to be scared about? It's only a noise. Noises are to be investigated.

Mom says it's important to remember a lot of people fought hard to make sure we can live free. Mom told me those people had dogs who worked hard to protect the homesteads and the livestock. She says if we weren't free, there's a chance we couldn't be together. That would make me sad.

Freedom is a fine thing. We all need to be diligent and protect it so we can all live together. Be the pack. That's the best way.