I knew this guy was out there

Mom replaced the trail cam and we're having fun with it. The old one started to smoke when Mom replaced the batteries and she worried it might catch fire and burn down our trees, so she tossed it. The new one is better because it takes color pictures in daylight. I always go along and help retrieve the SD card because, hey - I'm a Labrador Retriever with champion bloodlines! I retrieve things!  

I've been telling Mom and Dad there are lots of deer in our woods at night. They do believe me. The only thing they say is I should use my inside voice late at night. 

Yeah, right. I have the biggest bark on the mountain and I'll use it when necessary. When this guy is traipsing around my backyard, it's necessary. 

I don't think I'm going to run after this buck. He's more the sort to stand his ground and that could be bad for little Deucie. I don't fancy being stuck by antlers. 

Hey, Dad! Is venison as good as beef? Why don't we check that out this year? We're not getting any younger, you know. 

Deuce's Day, venison, black Labrador Retriever, country living, white-tailed deer, buck deer, antlers, barking dogs

I only got a little wet

It's really good to be a dog in the country! I can go for walks and not have to be on the leash, and I can play in the creek. It's not that I mind being on the leash. It's like a tangible connection to Mom, so it's okay. She can't get away from me when we're sharing the leash. And what Labrador Retriever worth his pedigree wouldn't like playing in the water? 

Mom really likes it when I jump in the creeks and splash around. She whoops and yells and tells me to "go for it" whatever that means. And she takes a lot of pictures of me. 

But the best part is I can just be a dog. Yeah, I'm still on watchdog duty in case someone else is on the trail, but I can relax and enjoy being on a walk. Mom knows this and lets me be me. All dogs need a good Mom like that. 

Just remember that even a good Mom (or Dad) is going to laugh at you if you stick your head under the water. And it's also a sure thing they will take your picture. 

Deuce's Day, black Labrador Retriever, country dogs, rural living, walk in the woods, good dogs, dogs in the creek, free dogs

It was really noisy!

I like peace and quiet. I can hear lots of things rustling in the woods when it's quiet. I know when a squirrel gets too close to my den and when the deer are trying to sneak through the back yard. I'm Deuce. I hear everything.

But a few days ago, it got really noisy here. I didn't like this, but Mom and Dad acted like it was no big deal so I had to just put up with it. The tree-trimmer people were here and they made NOISE. 

I'm a little unclear why Mom and Dad thought it was okay to have them cut down a tree, make noise, make a mess, run a skid loader all over MY woods, and use this chipper thing to clean up the mess. I didn't like any of it, but hey. I'm the dog and they don't listen to me.

I stayed on the porch with Mom and Dad and watched until the chipping started. It hurt my ears so I ducked inside. I could still hear it but it wasn't as bad. When it was all over, I walked out with Mom and sniffed everything. 

You know what? It wasn't all that interesting to a dog. But Mom is right about one thing. The local squirrels are not going to be happy those trees are gone. 

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, sporting dogs, hunting dogs, country dogs