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

Little "needles of joy"

I always thought Mom liked my fluff. She always brushed out my fluff (or needles of joy as some people call dog fur) and it came out in handfuls. But Mom hasn't brushed me much lately, which I miss. I like it when Mom pets me all over. 

Anyway, Mom says I'm not shedding the way I always have. She thinks it's because of my new Farmer's Dog diet. She even Googled why I might not be shedding when I always have. She read about how a better diet makes my fur follicles stronger. 

What the hell is a follicle? I have follicles? Is that a good thing? I might be an "old dog" at seven, but I'm still learning new things! 

So if my fur follicles are stronger, I shed less? I'll accept that. Mom says my coat looks shinier, too, but that might be because of less dead fur waiting to be brushed out. It all goes together. 

Mom used to really worry when I wouldn't eat. She didn't think I was getting the nutrition I needed. Maybe that helps me not shed, too, because I am eating a lot better now. 

I didn't know I was doing something Mom would really like, but I'm going to take full credit for it. I'm shedding less and I'm doing it for Mom! 

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retrievers, Labs, shedding, The Farmer's Dog, dog food, a dog's life, a writer's life, a country Lab, healthy dogs, good dogs

There is always time for a ride!

 

We've been really busy. Mom says we're in the middle of firewood season. Huh? I thought we had spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Now Mom says there is a fifth one? It's no wonder poor little Deucie, that's me, gets confused. 

I think Mom means it's the time of year to split and stack firewood. That's what Mom, Dad, and Cousin Dave have been doing for ages and ages now. It started when the man came back in July and cut down the two big maple trees. I had to stay inside that whole time! Then Mom, Dad, Cousin Dave, and Cousin John cut up those two trees. 

But even though we've been working hard, we've had time to go for two long drives. I love going for rides! Especially in Mom's car! Mom's car is the best! The back seat is soooo comfy for me. And I got to ride along to the landfill in the Colorado last week!  

Mom told me there were places she'd hoped to visit this summer, but we got too busy. We might get to go now since the outside work is just about done. Mom said we'll have to see what the weather does. She doesn't want to drive in the snow unless she has to. 

Having Mom home with me now is a good thing. I like it. I can keep an eye on her. It's a little different because I'm not sure what time we'll go out in the mornings, or if we'll stay up or go back to bed. I vote we should go back to bed but I'm just the dog. Sometimes it's still dark outside and Mom stays up and goes to her computer, and I go back to bed without her. It's okay. I can hear her typing so I know it's all good. 

Going for rides is the best fun. I hope we go again soon.

Deuce's Day, black Labrador Retrievers, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, dog rides in cars, a country dog, a dog's life, a writer's life, country living, rural lifestyles, spoiled pets, happy dogs