Mom had all my blogs put together

 I learned that we've been blogging together for almost five years. That's like my whole life! It's a pretty cool way for me and Mom to remember the important things we've done together. And the fun stuff, too!

Understanding how it all works is Mom's job. I just get to be me and we like it that way. Mom's a writer and she gets to be herself when she blogs. Dad's job is to reason things out and tell us which end of which cable goes in which slot to make the television work. Loki's job is to catch vermin. 

Okay. Now Mom is staring at me so I need to get serious. My job is to look out for Mom and Dad, especially on a walk.

I'd better get back on topic so I can get a snackie when we're finished blogging.

We started Deuce's Day to record my life. Mom says I'm probably the only dog she'll have all her memories of recorded. Mom talked about her other dogs, the ones that came before me, over at her writing blog. Some of it is pretty sad but sometimes a dog's life is sad. 

Anyway, Mom went to this place online called Blog to Print and they put all my blogs through the end of 2020 into one .pdf for only $10! Now we don't have to worry about losing the history of everything we've done together. 

Mom and Dad told me we've started a new year. It doesn't feel any different. My birthday is coming up and I'll be five. Time really does fly when you're having fun! 

Time flies when we go for a walk, too. What do you say, Mom? Think we can get outside today? 

I tried to tell them, but noooooo

Last night while we were eating dinner...well, Mom and Dad were eating dinner. I was successfully bumming bites of grilled pork chop, so maybe I was having dinner, too. Anyway, I heard a noise so I did my job and barked. And what did they do? They shushed me!

I'm insulted. I knew a branch had fallen out of a tree. I know what that sounds like. I didn't know it had fallen across the lane but Mom and I discovered that when we went out for a stroll after dinner. 

Mom tried to apologize for shushing me but I wasn't ready to let her make up to me. She didn't have any snackies with her so I very smartly thought I'd wait until we were back inside and she could give me a Griller to officially accept her apology. 

I mean, really folks. Do not shush me for doing my job. Barking to alert you guys to something happening on the manor is what I do, and you know I do it very well. 

So remember this next time.  Just say to yourself, "do not shush Deuce when he's correct." Then repeat it. 

One more thing to remember - don't leave the house without treats in your pockets. 

I wish I had thumbs

Mom and Dad have been uber busy since Thanksgiving. Especially Mom. She looks after Dad and me, and now she has to look after her stepfather and his house. The other night she fell asleep at seven o'clock. I wasn't ready for bed but I went with her because protecting her is my job. 

She's been sorting through Grandma's things. It started out because of a plumbing leak at Grandma's house. She had to move a lot of plastic storage containers so she decided to just "handle it right now and be done." I'm not sure what that means but it took a lot of hours and Mom took a lot of clothes and fabric somewhere. I went along to help once, but I think I just got in the way. I wanted to help but I don't have thumbs. I can't hold open trash bags or carry them for her. I don't think that's fair. 

The funny thing is, Mom loves my paws. She's all the time saying, "look at your feet!" when I come back from being outside. I can tell she's not angry so that must mean she loves them. 

I remember when I was really, really little she always played with my toes. Come to think of it, the first thing my vet said to me was "look at the paws on that one!"

So I guess I have really good paws even though I can't help Mom carry stuff. But I'm thinking having thumbs would be pretty cool.