A snowy walkabout

 It snowed a lot! There is snow everywhere! I convinced Mom I had to have a walkabout so I could see who left tracks in my yard. Mom received my telepathic command (for once!) and off we went. We didn't stay out long because my paws got cold! 

Mom took a video so everyone can come along!

Deuce's Day, Labrador Retriever, black Lab, snow day, good dogs, country living, dog video, dog blog, happy dog

And then God said...

Let there be Labs.

Wabbit!

I came so close to getting in trouble yesterday. Like, really close. Like Mom yelled at me close. 

I'm a dog so I know things. I can hear and smell things Mom and Dad don't seem to notice. I can see things, too, although Mom doesn't miss much. She sure saw me....well, I'm getting to that. 

It was dark outside and I heard something, only I didn't know what. Mom asked me if I had to pee so I barked and ran to the door. That's how I tell her yes when she asks if I have to go. The truth was I wanted to figure out what it was I heard. 

Mom opened the door and there it was! This - this- this- THING was sitting right under Mom's car! Mom is particular about her car so I knew this wasn't good. I barked at it and it took off like a rocket!

So I chased it. 

Mom was not pleased I disappeared into the woods after dark. I'm black. I vanish in the dark. She yelled at me to "come" but by the time I did, I was in trouble.   

I didn't go far. That little thing was quick and it got away. I went back to Mom and she yelled at me - for chasing the "rabbit" where she couldn't see me. 

She finally forgave me, but I get it now. Chasing rabbits is okay. Chasing rabbits after dark when Mom can't see me - not so much. 

But if that rabbit comes back in the daylight, his butt is mine, mine, mine. 

I'm Deuce! I can run really fast!

A lesson in life

I've been a little sad the past couple of days. Mom and Dad took the cat to the vet. I didn't see him when they brought him home, but Mom explained they buried him up on the hill beside Jett, Callahan and Taz. Mom told me not to go up there and I think I'll listen to her on this one.

Mom told me I'd be the last dog to go on the hill. I wasn't too sure what she meant at the time, but she was sad when she told me. So I've been listening closely to Mom and Dad talk, and I think I have it figured out. 

I know that one day I'll get old, and I'll be tired, and it'll be time for me to go. Dogs know these things and we know it's ok. Mom's have a hard time with it. I think cats must get old and tired, too. I know Shooter was old. He told me in no uncertain terms he was too old to take any puppy nonsense from me. 

Maybe I should have been nicer when he slept in my puppy daybed. Mom said he wasn't hurting a thing by taking a nap in it when I wasn't using it, but I barked at him anyway. 

I think Shooter was ready to go, and Mom and Dad made sure it was easy for him. They said he's beside his best friend, Jett, who I never met. They say Callahan and Taz were buddies, too. 

Mom promised as soon as I'm done growing and know how to be 'easy' I can get a kitten of my own. I think Mom will be over being sad about Shooter by then. Having my own cat will be a big responsibility. It'll be up to me whether or not we're going to be friends because I'll be the older, bigger one. 

I think I can do it because I'm Deuce! I'm a good dog!

Mud flaps

It was a beautiful weekend! It was sunny and warm and Mom and Dad were outside for hours and hours. And when they're outside, Deuce (that's me!) is outside.

We were really busy, too. On Saturday, Mom watered all the flowers and tomatos in the big flower pots. Then she cut off the old blooms from the rose bushes, and sprinkled the bushes with some stinky white powder that made me sneeze. She told me to stay away, but I didn't listen. Next time I will.

Then Mom did a water test on the pool. I don't get it. Water is water, but she said it needed a bit of baking soda to make it soft. When Dad came outside, we all had coffee on the patio.

I don't like coffee. I'll stick to water without baking soda in it.

Dad had to fix the tailgate hinges on his pickup. He said they were really old and got rusty. Is 1999 a long time ago? Mom helped him. Then they put this metal contraption on the back of the truck so Dad can haul his fancy chair wherever he goes.

I was soooo tired Saturday night, I slept on the bed with Mom and didn't move at all!

Then today I got to help Dad put mud flaps on Mom's shiny red car. Mom's real particular about her car and doesn't like it to get too dirty. I'm not allowed to pee on the wheels EVER. It was fun helping Dad but I got bored and found a stick to play with.

Mom took a picture of me helping. Boy, I'm really growing up fast!

Am I handsome, or what!

Mom and Dad do a lot of what they call "home & garden projects." First thing this morning, right after Dad had a cup of coffee, we all hopped into the pickup and went to Lowe's. 

I jumped in without any help! Mom's right. My legs are longer now! Mom and Dad told me I had to ride in the back, but I put my elbows on the console so I could see out the windshield. When we got to Lowe's, I didn't need any help getting out. It's not as far down as it used to be. Or at least it doesn't seem to be. I used to be afraid of falling on my nose, but I know I won't now. 

I walked beside Mom the way she taught me and didn't pull on the leash. Well, maybe I did a little. I was kind of excited over all the new smells. Then the guys at the store loaded the truck for Mom, and Dad drove us to McDonald's and we each got a McMuffin. 

Oops. I wasn't supposed to tell you that. Mom says some folks have "issues" with a dog eating real bacon, eggs, and cheese. I don't know why. Mom said it was a treat and she was right! It was really good! 

Mom took my picture at the store and all I can say is, am I handsome, or what! 

I'm rethinking my position (under the desk)

Mom is really happy with how well I'm growing. She feels my legs and feet all the time. I really like it when she rubs down the sides of my spine, too, all the way to the tip of my tail. She says I'm growing like a weed, which makes no sense at all because she and Dad don't like weeds. People are confusing. 

I'm getting very long. When I stretch out, full length, I take up a lot of floor space, especially in Mom's study. Mom tripped over me last night. I didn't mean for that to happen, and Mom wasn't mad or anything. But from now on I think I'll sleep under her desk instead of beside it. When she gets up, I'll just tuck my toes in. 

I just hope she doesn't forget when I'm under her desk and kick me by mistake. 

What's the big deal?

Mom is acting like a mom, and moms are a crazy bunch. What's the big deal that I have two of my adult teeth coming in? Is this a surprise, or something? 

And what's with Dad needing a picture of my two front teeth? I can't decide if the pair of them have gone round the bend or if I'm too young to understand all the fuss. 

And then there's this bit from a Christmas song about front teeth. People are nuts. 

I wonder what Mom and Dad are going to do when I get real fangs? It won't be much longer, you know. I'll have to be careful not to smile or they'll take more pictures. 

The cat did it?

Busted again. 

Mom went to take a shower and found my ball. I didn't mean to leave it there, but I forgot to go back and get it. Now she knows I was in there trying to figure out how to get the water to come out. 

For about a second I thought I could blame that nasty cat, but Mom's too smart for that. I mean, I looked at Shooter and everything, but Mom stared me down and shook her head. 

Anyway, Mom gave me the ball and said my 'day is coming snip snip'. I wonder what she means by that? 

She also warned me about leaving the ball where it might cause Dad to fall. The shower is dangerous enough for him. I don't want to do anything to hurt Dad. He feeds me when Mom isn't home. 

I guess I'd better pay attention to her on this one. No balls in the shower. 

Meeting the Uncle

I got to meet Mom's Uncle Dick last night. Mom said we were going for a ride and I didn't like the sound of that. "Rides" end up at the vet's office and I say NO to the vet and his sharp needles. 

Then Mom let me ride in her car! In her car! Not the truck, but in her car! I was so excited I almost peed but I caught myself in time. If I have an oops in her car, I'll never get to ride in it again. 

Uncle Dick only lives about a mile away. Mom says this coming summer we can walk down. That sounds like fun, too. Anyway, we got to Uncle Dick's in no time at all. 

Uncle Dick looks pretty stern, and his voice is sorta gruff, but I knew right away he's a real softie inside. He picked me up and held me on his lap while he and Mom talked about my grandma. Something is going on there. They were both sad. I need more intel to figure it out. 

We didn't stay long. I got to walk around Uncle Dick's yard for a bit. I left him a little present and I don't know why Mom thought that was funny. I really had to go! Then Mom drove us home. I was pretty tired so I took a nap before bedtime, then we went to bed.