Lambchop!

It's almost Christmas, and I already have my pressie! Mom got me my very own Lambchop! 

I love Lambchop! I'm not going to chew her up. I'm going to keep her. I'm going to kiss all over her. I'm going to sleep with her, too! 

What's that you say, Mom? Lambchop needs a BATH???

Oh, Mom. I don't think so. Lambchop likes my slobber better than you do. 

You'd better think twice, or a bunch more times, before you throw Lambchop in the washing machine. 

Seriously, Mom. I'm watching you. No drowning Lammie. I mean it. 

I am one busy dog!

I've been busy these last few months! Mom has been telling me we need to take a break and blog to let everyone know I'm still kicking. Take a break? Who is she kidding? I've been keeping her so busy she hasn't had time to blog for me. 

Seriously. I'm keeping her busy. We walk almost every day again, and I love it. Except for the fact Sadie goes along, that is. But I know how to avoid her, and Cousin Dave keeps her on the leash a lot. I don't need to be on the leash all the time because when Mom tells me to heel, I heel. She wouldn't tell me that if it wasn't important to do it until other people on the trails get past us. Apparently, I'm big enough to scare folks. That's funny! 

Mom and I go for a ride every afternoon, too. I've got to see all sorts of things. Do you know that cows are HUGE! And we've been working on firewood for weeks and weeks. I don't like the log splitter, but Mom says it's a handy-dandy thing to have. I find a sunny spot and relax to watch Mom work. 

Mom has something new for me almost every day. Most of the time it's fun, but sometimes I don't want to be "engaged." I want to sleep. I get happy when Mom settles at her computer and I can nap on the bed. I guess mental stimulation is a fine thing, but someone needs to explain to the vet that I'm almost ten years old and I need my beauty sleep. 

So there it is, Mom. Please let me get a good nap in today while you go blog for me. Okay?

Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, Deuce's Day, black Labrador Retriever, good dog, a writer's life, busy dog, dog walking, dog car ride, dog on bed, firewood, old dogs, country dogs, rural living

And she did it anyway

Sometimes a guy just likes to sneak off in the middle of the day and snap a nap. Like today. Mom was canning cherries - BORING! Why won't she can steak? That would be so much better! Anyway, Mom was busy in the kitchen, so I put myself down for a nap. 

I always keep an ear tuned in on her when I nap. She has this nasty habit of sneaking out the patio door without me, so being a light sleeper, I listen. Well, I must have really dozed off because I rolled over and Mom was on the bed with me. And do you know what she asked me? Get this! She asked me what I was doing.

Seriously? Wasn't it obvious????????

Then to really be insulting, she tapped me on the shoulder. When I looked up to see what she wanted, she took my picture. 

She KNOWS I hate it when she does that. 

Lucky for me, I'm fast. I turned my face away in the nick of time. 

I bested her this time, but I know she'll get me next time. She knows how to be sneaky. 

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, country dogs, lazy dogs, rural living, spoiled dogs, black Lab, sneaky Labrador Retriever, a writer's life

What's up with the snakes?

 

Okay. This is getting spooky. I do not like this at all.

A couple of days ago, Mom spotted a water snake trying to take over my creek. This morning, I go outside to take care of my outside activities and I find a snake? 

Well, okay, it was just the shed skin, but ICKY! 

And all Mom has to say is she needs to weed and feed the lawn? 

What the fluff, Mom? Are you trying to grow snakes?

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, country living, black snakes, rural living, good dogs, KC Kendricks, a writer's life, 

I wish Mom would not have shown me this

 

No no no no no!!!!!!!! What is that THING doing in my creek?????

I really wish Mom hadn't told me there was a SNAKE in my creek. And I really really wish she hadn't shown me a fluffin' picture of it! 

That's just plain nasty, even though it doesn't look slimy at all. 

Things have been sorta slow on the home front. I chase the deer and the squirrels, and I'm napping on the bed, most days. I go out with Mom and keep both eyes and ears on her while she does chores. And most days we go down so I can romp in the creek, but now.... Now I'm worried. 

Mom says I don't need to worry. Right. It's MY paws in the water with that creepy thing. SHE says it will hear me splashing and vamoose. Where's a moose? What the fluff, Mom? 

Mom says this guy will probably stay on the lower side of the culvert where there's a deep pool and the water is slow moving. I don't go over there and now I know why. I trusted my instincts. But Mom says the fast running part of the creek where I like to play isn't where snakes like to rest. 

I'll believe her, but I'll look around really well before I hop in the creek. This really ruins it for a guy, you know. 

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, water snake, creeks, good dogs, country lifestyle, rural living, a writer's life, KC Kendricks

We walked in the rain

Rainy weather doesn't stop Mom from taking me for a stroll. She has a big umbrella and off we go - unless it's what Mom says is it's pouring buckets. Then we wait. 

I'm not real fond of rain, but when it's only a drizzle, it won't stop us. Mom knows I have a favorite spot in the woods for my afternoon outside activities and she makes sure we walk past it, rain or shine. 

Any time Mom and I walk is a good time. She tells me I can walk beside her under the umbrella, but I almost never do. That thing is really weird over Deucie's little black head! 

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, country dogs, walking in the rain, a writer's life, good dogs, black Lab, umbrellas

Is there a reason for this?

Oh, my Dog, I'm BORED!!!! So is Mom. So is that skanky Loki. This is awful!

It rained for days and days and days and we didn't go out much. Mom did let me ride along to the transfer station one afternoon when we were between showers, and she did take me for a short ride yesterday, but I'm still bored. 

And on a side note Mom told me she may never let me in her Charger again because I got too excited and bit at the window when she cracked it open for me. Oops. I should not have done that...

It rained all day yesterday and now today it's cold and windy outside. The sun is kinda shining, but it's windy and Mom doesn't work outside in the wind.  Mom is blogging and doing other computer work, so I went to bed. 

Now, there is a pillow beneath the bedspread to keep Loki on his side. 

He's not on his side. He's in the middle. He's sneaking up on my butt. 

I swear if he were bigger, he'd shove me right off MY bed! And what does Mom do to help? She takes a picture. 

Not helping, Mom. Not at all.

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, a dog's life, Loki the Cat, country living, a writer's life, bored dogs, great dogs, dogs on the bed

I had to keep an eye on Mom

I worry about Mom. She does things like ride around on the tractor when no one else is around. Dad used to keep an eye on her, but now it's up to me. 

It's only February, but we've had two days that were warm. Mom said it was 58F yesterday, and it's going to be 58F again today. I don't know what that means, but I know the ground is still cold when I lie down, even in the sunshine. Anyway, Mom said it was warm enough and she went to work. I went with her, of course. 

Yesterday, she picked up all the downed sticks around the shed, the tractor park, and the greenhouse. I helped! Well, I did until she stopped giving the stick back to me and put it in the bucket of the John Deere 1023. After that, I took my stick a respectable distance away from her. 

Today, Mom finished moving a stack of maple firewood. Boring. Mom hired a guy to come in and cut down a big oak tree and she wanted to move the maple firewood out of the way. She said the stack isn't pretty, but she can't see if from her office window so she doesn't care. That is what we'll burn first next fall, so it'll work out. 

Did I mention it's boring when Mom does some of these things? I had my Frisbee and we played a little bit, but mostly I relaxed and watched her. I know not to run in front of the tractor when it's moving because I get yelled at for that. So I don't. I wait until it's parked before I come close to see what Mom's doing. I'm Deuce and I'm pretty darn smart about the tractor. 

I'm glad we got the job done and came back inside. The ground is really cold on my paws, and now that I'm nine years old, I'm not as tough as I used to be.  But I can still keep a close eye on Mom and keep her out of trouble.  

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, country dogs, rural living, John Deere 1023, firewood, good dogs, 

We got snow!

I love snow! Does Mom love snow? Not as much as me! 

The morning after it snowed, we walked out to play in it and Mom took a video. I'm the star of the little movie, you know. Yeah, yeah, Mom talks about all sorts of stuff but it's really all about ME. 

Take a look and you'll see I'm telling you the truth. King Clarence has nothing on me! 

 

Happy 9th Birthday to me!

Today is my ninth birthday. I'm not sure what that means, but Mom told me so it must be important. She calls me an "old man," but I still feel like a pup. Mom and I were outside yesterday, burning the brush pile, and I had a great time playing in the snow! 

Mom tried to convince me to pose for a picture, but I was having too much fun. I ran and ran and finally she'd had enough and made me go inside. I suppose I was misbehaving just a wee bit because I went down over the hill where she couldn't see me. In my defense, there was a deer hiding in the thicket. I could see it! 

I don't know if we'll do anything special for my birthday or not. It's awfully cold outside again today. And with snow everywhere, Mom says we can't take the car out. We'd have to go in the pickup. Maybe being nine is why it's not so easy to make the big jump into the back seat these days. I used to sail right up there and now...not so much. Mom made me a step but it's in the shed and the shed door is frozen shut. This cold weather ruins our fun. 

But there is some good news. Mom got PORK CHOPS out of the freezer! I bet I'm getting pork for my birthday dinner. This is a good thing. Can I have a ninth birthday again tomorrow?

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retrievers, country dogs, black Lab, love of dogs, companion dogs, snow dogs, dog birthdays, a writer's life

2024 was a long year

I haven't been blogging much this year. Dad went away and I've missed him. I know he had to go. I even know when he left because...well, I cried out to him. Mom got a little freaked out when she understood I knew, but she knew, too. That's just the way it is. But I remember being a little guy and sitting on his lap all the time before I got too big. I miss that.

It's been really cold here, like January cold. Mom and I go out several times a day for short walks, going in and out the lane. We don't want to go too far because my paws get too cold. I'm not a spring chicken any longer. We play Frisbee some, but if I misjudge, a whack on the snoot by a cold plastic disc hurts. If that happens, I snatch the thing and head for the door so Mom knows I'm done with it for now. 

Mom has a toasty fire burning in the woodstove, but it's down in the basement and I'm not allowed down there. The big bed is a lot softer, anyway. I like to snooze on the bed when Mom is at the computer. I can keep an ear on her. 

I'm really glad Thanksgiving and Christmas are over.  Mom had to go to all these different dinners and I had to stay home alone. I did not like this, especially when she left me alone after dark. What gives, Mom? I'm a good dog and you leave me alone in the dark? At least I always had dinner and a quick walk first. But I still didn't like it. 

My birthday is next month, and I'll be nine. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel about that. Mom asked me if it was time for us to get a puppy, but I don't think it is. Maybe when I turn ten will be the right time. I have a lot to teach a puppy about how to be a good dog. 

So I've been busy taking care of Mom. It's good we get to spend a lot of time together. Since it's cold, I get to go for more rides. Mom tells me I'm worth the cost of a bit of gasoline for us to go out around our loop and see what's happening in the neighborhood. 

Mom's looking forward to the New Year, but it doesn't mean a lot to me. Dogs take each day as they come. We don't really plan ahead, and that's okay. I know me and Mom will be together for a long as we can be, and I know a puppy can't really replace me. Mom will love the puppy for whom he is just like she loves me. I'm good with that. 

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, rural living, country dogs, black Labs, a writer's life, Labrador puppies, special dogs, dog with a blog, New Year 2025, love dogs

I dare you, Mom!

Mom did a good thing and got me a new Kong chew toy. The product detail said she could hide treats in it, but I know her better than that. She'll just give me... She did it! She hid biscuits in the toy! 

I can't believe she did that! Mom doesn't believe in teasing me. Well, only if we're playing but I get it then. She never teases me to be mean. Until now.

I gave here a dirty look, too. She just laughed!

According to Mom, getting the biscuits out is supposed to make me think and problem solve. This has something to do with me running into the screen, I just know it. Mom thinks I wasn't thinking when I did that, and she might be right. She thinks just because I'm almost nine, I must be slipping upstairs. Huh. Wrong, Mom!

I got those biscuits out of the ring in about two minutes! Do it again, Mom. Put a few extra biscuits in there while you're at it. I dare you! 

Deuce's Day, black Labrador Retriever, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, dog toys, smart dogs, Milk Bones, good dogs, cognition, dog Moms, a writer's life, country lifestyle

Boys will be boys

Mom always says she likes boy dogs the best. This is a good thing for me because I'm a boy dog! But yesterday, I pushed it a wee bit far and I paid for it. 

We went out to work in the yard. Mom wanted to see if she could do some tractor work (still too wet) and I went to protect her from squirrels. 

I made a mistake and ran through the clay muck that came up out of the well drill hole. It was nasty. It clung to my fur and made my paws filthy. I showed Mom and she shook her head and told me no way was I going to be allowed back into the den...er...house without having my paws scrubbed. 

For once, I agreed! 

I was a good dog and stood still while Mom washed me with Dawn and then rinsed my feet really well with the hose. After I dried for a few minutes, I went inside and stayed out of trouble until Cousin Dave and Sadie walked up to see if we had anything exciting going on. 

But I stayed out of the mud! I'm Deuce and I don't like mud on my paws! 

Deuce's Day, black Labrador Retriever, rural living, country lifestyle, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, a writer's life, squirrels, dirty paws, Dawn dish detergent, family, good dogs

It's summer hibernation!

It's been so hot, Mom and I have been reverse hibernating. We're staying inside a lot and I'm going a bit batty. That has nothing to do with the dead bat Mom found a couple of weeks ago. I pointed it out to her and she buried the body. We don't know what happened, but Mom wondered if it was old and the heat weakened it. 

Anyway, inside is good except Mom changed the setting on the thermostat so the AC wouldn't run so much. This I did not like. When she turned on a fan, I flopped down right in front of it and blocked the air. That felt good! Mom didn't like it much, but I don't care. She doesn't have a shiny black fur coat making her hot.

We have worked in the garden in the mornings when it's cooler. Mom wasn't happy about it, but she pulled all the tomato plants. It didn't matter to me. I do not like tomatoes. She made a video about it, too. I have a cameo in that one! Mom caught me trying to chew up a Frisbee but since I was staying out of mischief, she told me to 'have at it'. So I did.

The last few days have been soooooooo boring, though. A tropical depression named Debby hovered over us and dropped 2.5 inches of rain on us. Mom took me outside and held the umbrella for me so I could do my outside necessities. I appreciated that. Mom thinks the rain is over now but she says she won't swear to it. 

I hope it is over. If it is, Mom might take me for a ride this afternoon. That would be great! I'm tired of hibernating inside the den. I don't know how bears can do it. 

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, rural living, Hurricane Debby, a dog's life, country lifestyle, dangerous weather, a writer's life, good dogs, YouTube videos, gardening

It's MINE and I know it!

I'm a special boy! Mom has been making food for me for the last few months. We used to get The Farmer's Dog, but Mom said that got too expensive. I don't really know a lot about money because that's her department, but I guess $100 for two weeks worth of Deuce food must be too much.  Mom makes me a chicken dinner with real chicken thighs that only costs about a dollar a day. 

A few days ago, Mom left me ALONE at home while she went to Sam's Club. I did not like this. I never like it when I have to stay home alone, but I'm a good dog. I don't tear up the furniture or anything. I just go take a nap on the bed until she gets home. 

Mom came home with several big packs of chicken thighs, and she put them all in canning jars and processed them! And they are ALL FOR ME!!! The house smelled like chicken when she was canning all that. YUM!!! And there is broth, too! 

She said she'll open one jar at a time and make my chicken dinners. She could leave the veggies out and I'd be okay with that, but she said no. It's the best of both worlds. A little kibble to crunch and lots of chicken for protein. I can't wait until she does beef! 

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, country dogs, homemade dog food, chicken dinner for dogs, rural living, a writer's life, country lifestyle, good dogs

It'll never fly again!

Do you know the very best thing about retrieving a Frisbee?  Sometimes you do not have to give it back! 

Mom buys me knock-off Frisbees a dozen at a time. I love flying discs! If Mom throws them just right, and she does almost all the time, I can snatch them right out of the air. I have great eye to fangs coordination. Mom agrees. 

A few days ago, Mom had to water her garden so I went along so she could give me a quick spray to keep me cool. Then we played Frisbee for a few minutes, but it was hot so Mom wouldn't let me run too much. When she said I'd had enough exercise for such a hot day, she gave me the Frisbee and told me to "have at it."  WOOFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew what that meant!

I found a shady spot beside the garden and went to work while Mom watered all her plants. I know a good dog shouldn't boast, but that is one Frisbee that will never fly again!

Deuce's Day, black Labrador Retriever, good dogs, country lifestyle, rural living, enjoying dogs, dog toys, Frisbee, country dogs, a writer's life, dog with a blog, animal blogs

I'm a little worried

It snowed yesterday - a lot! I didn't like going outside to do my, you know, "outside activities" because Mom didn't go with me. She told me I was a big dog and I shouldn't need someone to hold my paw when I have to pee-pee. 

That's not the point! 

I need someone to go along and tell me I'm a good boy!!!!

It snowed all day. Mom and Dad just hung out inside. The good news there is I got eggs for breakfast and a bit of spaghetti for an after-dinner snack. 

Snow can be a lot of fun, but what if Mom doesn't take me for a walk? What if she doesn't take pictures of me playing in the snow? Does being eight mean you worry more about stuff? 

I'm a little worried being eight will change things. I mean, Mom got me SENIOR dog food for some of my snackies. SENIOR!! It's crappy, too. I don't like it much. 

And then there are those chewies for my joints. Flavored my black ass! Nasty flavored is what they are. And I know Mom is going to make me eat all of them. 

We're going to be outside in the snow a lot today. Or at least Mom is. I have to be careful not to let her know my paws are cold or she'll make me go back inside with Dad. I won't like that because I need to keep an eye on her when she's on the John Deere 1023 tractor. 

Maybe I can convince Mom to do a little walk around the yard to get pictures of me and then I can go inside with Dad. We can watch Mom through the window. 

Yeah, I think that's the plan. 

I think being eight means I'm more of an independent thinker, but then again, I worry about stuff a lot more. 

Deuce's Day, black Lab, Labrador Retrievers, country dogs, snow days, rural living, a writer's life, John Deere 1023, snow removal, good dogs, 

We had a lot going on!

Mom was going to blog for me first thing this morning, but her computer did something really wonky. She was not happy. She got all these messages about a recovery assist and stuff - she really wasn't happy. Finally, after about two hours, the computer came back to life. Mom spent the day making sure she had all her documents, pictures, music, and videos backed up instead of being with me. 

I don't like computers. Then again, Mom made sure all the pictures of me were safe, so maybe I'll think about that a bit more. 

It seems like we get really busy sometimes. I was on guard duty a lot in December. Mom and Dad went up to Aunt Donna's and I watched the house. Twice! And Mom left me in charge when she went and had lunch with her friends a couple of times. I like being home with Dad. It's like the good old days when Mom worked. I get a lot of snackies when Mom isn't here. 

And then Dad got sick. That wasn't any fun at all. He coughed a lot and slept in his chair. And his stomach was so upset he didn't want to eat and me and Mom didn't like that. He's better now.

I got to ride along with Mom to the landfill twice, but I couldn't go with her when the pickup got an oil change. Dogs aren't allowed at the garage. Then on Christmas Eve we took a drive to see the Christmas lights. That was okay, I guess. Mom was disappointed because there wasn't very many, but I was happy I DID NOT see a blow-up Santa on a roof. That would give a good dog chills! 

Mom worked in the woodyard when the days were warm. I love being outside when she's doing that! I can sniff everything! Well, not the skunk. I hope I don't ever run into him, but I could tell a lot of deer were hanging around the woodpiles. 

I helped Mom work on two stories, too. She doesn't know it, but I really don't help. I nap on the bed where I can keep an eye on her while she works. She has this bad habit of sneaking out the sunroom door without me, so I have to be alert. I'm on to her tricks.  

Mom roasted a turkey for Christmas dinner. Yum!! I love giblets! I saw blue foil in the fridge and I know that means ham in a few days. Ham is good, too. Oh, and we had steak one night! Super yummy!!

Mom and Dad say this year is about over. I'll be eight soon. But you know what? The only time that matters is the time today, right now. So I just try to live in the moment and remember not to bite anyone, or bark in Mom or Dad's ears. I've always been pretty smart that way. 

New Year's Eve is coming and there's talk about a big ball again. Maybe it'll be better than the ball last year. That was a real bust. How's a good dog supposed to play with that thing? 

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, good dogs, hunting dogs, rural living, country lifestyle, a writer's life, champion blood lines, black Lab

It is so funny!

I guess I'm a baaaaad dog. Do dogs snicker? I do.

Do dogs get amused by their housemates? I do. 

It rained last night, so first thing this morning, the grass was wet. Okay, not my favorite thing to have to get my paws wet in order to take care of my morning, you know, business, but I can deal with it. 

Can Loki deal with it? Oh, not so much! 

He sat on the porch and looked disgusted. 

It was GREAT!!!!

I'm a baaaaad dog and I do not care!  

Deuce's Day, black Labrador Retriever, country lifestyle, good dogs, tuxedo cats, rural living, a writer's life, bad dogs, funny cats 

I'm going on doggie strike!

It's dog abuse, that's what it is. I've only been on ONE car ride this whole month. It's not fair! Mom & Dad went to look at some stupid plaque and did your boy get to go along? Nooooo! And they went to some place called City Park to watch some stupid fireworks show that lasted a whole eleven minutes. Did I get to go? Nooooo! 

Okay. Mom did take me along when she went to the transfer station yesterday. I like doing that. Lots and lots of dogs get to ride along on the trash run. Us pups get to woof at each other, just saying hello. We're not allowed to get out of our vehicles right there. But that was yesterday, and Mom did not take me along two weeks ago when she took the trash to put in the big bin. 

And last Sunday when you burned the brush pile? Did little Deucie get to sit in the truck with you? No. I could have had a really nice nap by the fire, but noooo. You were even proud of leaving me inside with Dad. I won't forget this slight! 

And how long ago was it you blogged for me? Weeks!!!

Mom just reminded me I've had some really good Frisbee time this past week. Sure, Mom. Try and make your boy look ungrateful. Why don't you go weed whack along the creek, huh? It's getting a little overgrown down there. I might run into a snake, you know. That would not be fun. 

I'm going on strike! 

No more deer patrol! No more squirrel patrol! No more barking to let you know a delivery truck is coming in the lane! 

I want to go for a decent ride in the car and I want to go TODAY! 

Please, Mom? Please? 

Deuce's Day, black Labrador Retriever, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, rural living, fire, good dogs, country dog, a writer's life, blogs about dogs