Today is my birthday!

 I'm eight years old today, and Mom put together a collage of her favorite pictures of her best boy - ME!

I want hazard pay!!!

It's a new year and the same old Sadie. 

Yep. Mom and Dad doggy-sat Sadie the Heathen again today. Did they consult with me first? Nooooo. They most certainly did not. 

It was pretty obvious Sadie was having a bad day. She wouldn't listen to Mom at all, and she usually does. When Mom says, "SIT," she means the dog's butt should hit the floor. I know it. Sadie knows it, too. But today Sadie ignored Mom. 

Mom tried to take her picture, but they all came out looking like a demon dog, which was accurate for today. 

Sadie followed Mom downstairs to the den, which is a big no-no. Loki's litter box is down there and it's off-limits to canines. Then Sadie made a grab for Loki's feeder, also a big no-no. It's a good thing Loki wasn't there when she did that. He's not one to mess around with when he's pissed off. 

Oops. I'm not supposed to say that. When he's annoyed. Don't mess with Loki when he's annoyed. 

Cousin Dave wasn't gone all that long, I'm happy to say. Things got back to normal after they left and I finally got my morning nap. 

I'm going to ask Mom and Dad for hazard pay. I want ten extra biscuits this evening. I'll be counting! 

Deuce's Day, black Lab, Labrador Retriever, rural living, dog sitting, hazard pay, good dogs, rainy days, dog treats, 

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's a stinky problem

I sure hope Mom and Dad take care of this one. I might be the dog, but I'll pass!

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 knew this guy was out there

Mom replaced the trail cam and we're having fun with it. The old one started to smoke when Mom replaced the batteries and she worried it might catch fire and burn down our trees, so she tossed it. The new one is better because it takes color pictures in daylight. I always go along and help retrieve the SD card because, hey - I'm a Labrador Retriever with champion bloodlines! I retrieve things!  

I've been telling Mom and Dad there are lots of deer in our woods at night. They do believe me. The only thing they say is I should use my inside voice late at night. 

Yeah, right. I have the biggest bark on the mountain and I'll use it when necessary. When this guy is traipsing around my backyard, it's necessary. 

I don't think I'm going to run after this buck. He's more the sort to stand his ground and that could be bad for little Deucie. I don't fancy being stuck by antlers. 

Hey, Dad! Is venison as good as beef? Why don't we check that out this year? We're not getting any younger, you know. 

Deuce's Day, venison, black Labrador Retriever, country living, white-tailed deer, buck deer, antlers, barking dogs

I only got a little wet

It's really good to be a dog in the country! I can go for walks and not have to be on the leash, and I can play in the creek. It's not that I mind being on the leash. It's like a tangible connection to Mom, so it's okay. She can't get away from me when we're sharing the leash. And what Labrador Retriever worth his pedigree wouldn't like playing in the water? 

Mom really likes it when I jump in the creeks and splash around. She whoops and yells and tells me to "go for it" whatever that means. And she takes a lot of pictures of me. 

But the best part is I can just be a dog. Yeah, I'm still on watchdog duty in case someone else is on the trail, but I can relax and enjoy being on a walk. Mom knows this and lets me be me. All dogs need a good Mom like that. 

Just remember that even a good Mom (or Dad) is going to laugh at you if you stick your head under the water. And it's also a sure thing they will take your picture. 

Deuce's Day, black Labrador Retriever, country dogs, rural living, walk in the woods, good dogs, dogs in the creek, free dogs

It was really noisy!

I like peace and quiet. I can hear lots of things rustling in the woods when it's quiet. I know when a squirrel gets too close to my den and when the deer are trying to sneak through the back yard. I'm Deuce. I hear everything.

But a few days ago, it got really noisy here. I didn't like this, but Mom and Dad acted like it was no big deal so I had to just put up with it. The tree-trimmer people were here and they made NOISE. 

I'm a little unclear why Mom and Dad thought it was okay to have them cut down a tree, make noise, make a mess, run a skid loader all over MY woods, and use this chipper thing to clean up the mess. I didn't like any of it, but hey. I'm the dog and they don't listen to me.

I stayed on the porch with Mom and Dad and watched until the chipping started. It hurt my ears so I ducked inside. I could still hear it but it wasn't as bad. When it was all over, I walked out with Mom and sniffed everything. 

You know what? It wasn't all that interesting to a dog. But Mom is right about one thing. The local squirrels are not going to be happy those trees are gone. 

Deuce's Day, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce, black Labrador Retriever, sporting dogs, hunting dogs, country dogs

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

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.