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. 

What's this thing?

What is this THING Mom and Cousin Dave left sitting in my yard? It's too ugly for yard art.  

I don't think I like it.

Mom says Cousin Dave is going to climb up in it and go way high in the air to cut the tops off of a bunch of trees. They agree the trees are too tall and too close to the den...er...house to be safe. 

I guess we do want to be safe when the wind blows. Mom says that eventually it'll all make firewood and that keeps us warm in the winter.

I guess it's okay the hoomans are doing this, but I don't think I want to watch. I'll just stay inside and snooze on the bed. 

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, country lifestyle rural living, tree trimming, firewood, good dogs

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

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

I really miscalculated my trajectory

I have committed another faux pas. It's a bit more serious than muddy paws, too. It's a pretty big oops. I'm in the dog house for real this time because Mom will have to pay someone to fix my screw-up. 

In my defense, there was a deer standing right beside the patio. It's my job to chase the deer back into the woods. Mom opened the door and I launched! 

I launched in the wrong direction. 

I tried to run straight at the deer, hit a screen, and bounced back like a cartoon dog. It kinda hurt, too. Concrete is hard with you land on it. 

Anyway, Mom is not happy me. She said fixing the screen is one project she didn't want to do this year because she already has a lot on her plate. 

I'm Deuce. If Mom had something on a plate, I'd know it. Mom is typing for me and doesn't even have a plate, so maybe her saying that is some sort of pay back for ruining the screen. 

I'll have to take my punishment like a big dog. No treats for me today. 

Then again, Mom forgives me of every mistake. I bet I'll even get a ride later today because Mom wants to do some leaf peeping. 

I won't try to run through a screen again. Honest, I won't. 

Deuce's Day, black Lab, Labrador Retriever, bad dogs, deer, patio screen, leaf peeping, rural living, country lifestyle, trajectory, miscalculations

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 was a rebel!

Mom and I took a little stroll to see if the wildflower seeds sprouted. Some have, but Mom said there are a lot more that should sprout if the sun ever shines again. I hear ya, Mom. All this rain is making my paws feel soggy. 

Usually, I'm a good dog. If Mom says not to do something, I pay attention. But it's spring and the grass is tall and tender from the rain. It's quite tasty! 

The problem is Mom told me not to eat the grass. 

Really, Mom? 

So I just sampled a few little pieces, and don't you know she snapped a picture for evidence. 

Busted, again!

Deuce's Day, black Labrador Retriever, grass, evidence, sneaky dogs, good dogs, country dogs, rural living, country lifestyle, dog with a blog, blogs about Labs

The chicks won't see my scar

Last Thursday was a big day. I had to go back to the vet to get my staples removed. Let me back up and say I was not pleased.

Mom tricked me again. She asked me if I wanted to go for a ride. Of course, I did! I love, love, love to go for rides. We even went through some road work and I got to bark at the flagman! How cool was that? But then Mom pulled into the vet's parking lot. Not cool at all!

The last time I was at the vet, Mom abandoned me. She handed my leash to a stranger and walked away from me. Yeah, okay, she cried when she did it so I know she felt bad, but she did it. I was really scared she would do it again even though she promised she wouldn't unless there was no other choice. 

But Mom didn't seem upset at all. We took a seat in the waiting room and I eased back between Mom's knees to keep her safe. It made me feel better, too. And Mom bent over and wrapped her arms around me. I appreciated that. 

Then the vet tech called us to go into this little room and she got on the floor beside me. She had a pair of nippers and she took out the surgery staples. I barely felt a thing! Then Mom said, "C'mon. Let's go," and I fairly dragged her to the car. I was ready to go, let me tell you! 

We got home and Mom gave me an entire Pup Peroni stick so I know I was a good dog the whole time! 

After a while, I took a look at my scar and it's impressive! If I had a girlfriend, I'd show it off, but I don't have a girlfriend. I guess it'll be mine and Mom's secret, and that's okay. 

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, dog surgery, dog scars, car rides, vet visits, country lifestyle, rural living, flagmen, work zones

I wish Mom would consult ME first

Sometimes Mom makes decisions without me. I wish she wouldn't do that. Yesterday, Cousin Dave called and asked if we could watch Sadie for a couple of hours, and of course, Mom said yes.

Did she ask me first? Nooooooooooooooooo.

I was having a perfectly fine day. The sun was shining, and Mom fed me some special food she made for me. It had ground beef, beef liver, greenie beanies, carrots, and sweet potatoes all mixed together and put on top of my crunchy kibble. I liked it. I was all set for a quiet day with Mom and then Sadie happened. 

We worry about Sadie. She's a little different. The good thing is she has learned not to bat her paws at my face. I told her enough times that I don't like it and she finally got the memo. 

Mom gave her one of MY biscuits, and Sadie zeroed in on the biscuit tin. She sat there for an hour - AN HOUR!- just staring at MY biscuit tin. It didn't do any good. Mom didn't give her more.

AND THEN! Then she walked between me and Mom when I was lying beside Mom's chair. Well, I growled and the little heathen jumped over me! I did not like that so I jumped up and turned around real quick and we had a few minutes of total chaos until I realized I had prevailed and we settled down again. 

Then Loki came upstairs from the den and Sadie rushed him. Ohhhh, boy. Loki didn't like that and he hissed and swatted at her. He didn't stick around for the fight. He went back downstairs. Then Sadie sat and stared through his cat port door. I could have told her that wouldn't do any good but she didn't ask me. 

Cousin Dave finally came home and retrieved Sadie. I guess it's a good thing we watch her while he's away. It's better than her being home alone and having a seizure when no one is there to help her. 

But Mom! Next time ask me first. Please?

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, good dogs, country lifestyle, rural living, 

Ask me how happy I am

I'm not having any fun at all! This has been awful! No good dog like me should have to endure this!

It all started a while back when Mom noticed a bump on my left hind leg. It was tiny and Mom and Dad told me not to worry about it. But then it got bigger and Mom started to take pictures of my ass.... er...my leg. Then Dad got sick and Mom forgot about my bump. After Dad left us, Mom zeroed in on me like an A10 Warthog flying a mission. I knew that I was in trouble. 

Yesterday, we got up early and Mom suckered me by offering to take me for a ride. Yeah, Mom, I'll remember it for a long time. Early morning rides with no mention of the dump? I'll pass. She left me at the vet's office and the vet did horrible, terrible, hurtful things to me! 

I was sooooo glad to see Mom when she came to retrieve me that I forgave her everything. Home never looked so good! I forgot how bad my leg hurt and how wimpy I felt and ran inside and jumped right up on the bed. It hurt a bit, but my spot is my spot is my spot. I needed my spot. I didn't need that pain pill Mom gave me.

Never trust a vet. That pill messed with my mind. I cried and panted and shook for hours, and Mom held me the entire time. I even threw up once and she didn't scold me at all. Mom promised she wouldn't give me those pills again. I'll get baby aspirin even if they might not work as good for pain. At least they will not make me see horrible visions that aren't real. 

Mom says the worst is over now. My breathing has cleared up and I'm not wheezing. Mom said I had to clear the gas from my lungs. Ya think? Mom also says she won't do this to me again unless there is absolutely no other choice. 

I know Mom had to do it. She only wants what is best for me. She cried, too, and I'm sorry for that since Dad's not here. Dad would have made it all better.

It's time for me to be strong for Mom and get over it. My leg will heal, and in a couple of days everything will be fine. My surgery will be a thing of the past and we can get on with summer. I might even have a scar, not that anyone except me and Mom will know it's there. 

And I know Mom won't forget her promise to me. 

Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, Deuce's Day, A10 warthog, black Labrador Retriever, dog surgery, good dogs, bad vets, country lifestyle, rural living, dog with a blog

Mom's muttering to herself again

Don't get me wrong. I like it when Mom talks to me, especially when she uses a lot of words I know. I get the gist of it and it's okay because I'm almost never in trouble when she talks to me. I'm Deuce. I'm a good dog. But Mom isn't talking - she's muttering.

Her favorite expression these days is something like "what the f*ck now!" She mutters that every time I bark to let her know a critter is in the yard, which is multiple times a day. Yesterday she even told me to shut up! I was surprised at that but I shouldn't have been. She was napping and if I'd have been paying proper attention I would have realized that. But a stray cat in MY yard? No way can I keep quiet about that! 

I suspect Mom will be muttering about all kinds of things. She's working in her garden space again. It's time to fill the buckets and growbags and it's hard work. If she does like she did last year, she won't start actually talking to me until the plants are growing. That's when she relaxes in the garden chair and I can have a lie-down beside her. Right now, I have to keep out of her way as I keep an eye on her. I'm moving around a lot. 

Being in Mom's garden with her will be pretty cool. We'll have lots of talks, but some of them might be a little sad. Dad sat in the garden with us last summer. We'll miss him doing that. 

Maybe it's okay if Mom mutters a little bit. 

Deuce's Day, black Labrador Retriever, dogs, country lifestyle, rural living, muttering, gardens, cats, life after loss, napping

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 

The best way to cool off on a hot day?

 Make Dad take me to the creek, that's how! 

Sometimes I think Dad can read my mind! It was sooooooooooo hot today that I got TWO trips to the creek to cool off. Mom went along once and took a video of me ambling along. 

I mean, some days I really splash but did I mention it was hot today? I'm old enough to know not to exert myself in the heat. Dogs know these things.

Being able to cool off in the creek is great! I wish every dog could do it. 

SHE was here again, and I was on my best behavior

I had to babysit Sadie again. Her parents wanted to go see a Van Gogh exhibit or whatever, so Mom volunteered us to take care of Sadie. Why does she do that? I like my days to be full of whatever Mom and Dad are doing, and with HER here, nothing happens. In fact, the pack watched television the entire time SHE was here. Mom took us out to pee-pee and stuff, but boring. 

I'd had my day all planned out, too. Around dawn, I chase the deer out of the front yard, then watch over Mom as she gets her emails handled. Then we have breakfast and coffee, which means snackies for me. After that, we go outside and do garden stuff, or walk, and then it's chores. Once chores are done, I get to nap while Mom is at the computer again. That was MY plan, which Mom shot all to smithereens. None of my plan happened. Nada. Nothing. Zippo. Zero.

I guess it wasn't all that bad, though. Sadie laid down and napped, so I did manage to snap a nap, too. Not my usual, but it had to do. Even though SHE wasn't too bad and didn't smack me in the face this time, I was glad to see Cousin Dave show up to take her home. Does that make me a bad dog? 

Mom and Dad praised me for being a good dog, so that settles it. DEUCE IS A GOOD DOG!!!!

Deuce's Day, black Labrador Retriever, dog sitter, rural living, country lifestyle, whitetail deer, doggie naps, dog treats, writers on writing, Springer Spaniel, Van Gogh

It's too hot to play ball

This summer has been a scorcher! I'm getting by, but only because Dad takes me down to the creek every day so I can get my belly wet. And I'm not supposed to talk about Pinkie, but when Pinkie hits the water, I REALLY cool off. 

It's even been too hot to go for long walks since some of the smaller creeks are dry during the summer. Mom doesn't like it if I can't wade in, cool my paws, and get a drink. I don't like it, either. It's no wonder the deer come our way in the summer. We have water for them. 

Dad knows that even though it's hot, I like to play with him a little. I won't chase the ball too many times, but I'll give him a chance to make a couple of throws. 

Mom was over in the garden the other day and took a quick video of me chasing the ball and taking it back to Dad.

See how shiny my black fur is! I'm Deuce, and I'm looking good! 

 Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, Labs, country dogs, dog walking, rural living, country lifestyle, a writer's life, dog with a blog, balls, dog videos

Loki is soooo annoying!

I'm in a spot of trouble and I don't know why. Just look at the smirky expression on Loki's face. He plays all innocent-like and Mom falls for his act. I know better. 

Mom says I have to play nice with Loki, but that cat is an IDIOT!!!!!  He jumps at me all the time and I don't like it. Mom says he's trying to play with me and that's just the way cats do it. 

I DO NOT CARE! I don't like being smacked in the face! Yes, he keeps his claws in. Yes, his little paws are furry and soft. It doesn't matter to me. I DO NOT LIKE IT!

And I'll tell you something even worse. Loki has begun to sleep on the bed with the pack every flufffing night! Even Mom doesn't like this because he sleeps ON her feet, but she says he's a cat and there is nothing we can do about it.

Nothing? 

I'm Deuce, and we'll see about THAT!!!!

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, dog with a blog, cats and dogs, Loki, pack living, rural life, country lifestyle, a writer's life, KC Kendricks