Hustling for treats

Every summer, my cousin Danielle stays with us an entire week to attend day camp. I like hanging out with her. I particularly like hustling her for treats. I've got to be subtle about it to avoid getting the "evil eye" from my Dad, who knows all my moves!

Hanging out at Jerry's and Posie's

Last weekend, we drove to Sacramento to visit my Uncle Jerry, Aunt Posie, and Aunt Joie. Within 15 minutes of our arrival, I found three tennis balls, a football, and one golf ball in their backyard. Then, I came upon a real treasure trove: an apple tree from which I consumed about 12 juicy apples. We have to visit those folks more often! Their home is a Lab paradise!

Birthday wishes for Mom

Happy birthday, Mom! You're the best Mom a Lab could ever have. I love you now and always. Have a wonderful day!

-- Smiling Shadow

Good vision, bad judgement

Today, while walking, my Dad was rather amused when I started barking and growling at a statue of a Black Lab that had been placed in the front yard of a house in our neighborhood. Dad contends that my vision isn't impaired, my judgement is. He may have a valid point...

Greetings to fathers everywhere

Happy Father's Day to all human fathers and their canine counterparts! We can't say enough good things about you. Chomp on a juicy bone (or steak) and have a wonderful day!

Onward at any cost

I love walking, even on warm Summer days. I dodge hot pavement wherever I can, but even that won't slow me down. Water break? Out of the question. My Dad is beginning to wonder if I'm part Camel! Since I won't drink any water, Dad pours it on my back. He's so thoughtful.

Skunked again

My Mom was out of town on business the entire week. Then, shortly after she returned, my Dad and Mack went shad fishing on the American River. Neither of them caught any fish. If they had taken me, I could have demonstrated my abilities as a bona fide water dog! And maybe caught a fish or two.

Turds of different colors

As a Lab, it's beyond my comprehension that Crayons are for drawing, not for eating. In the next few days, my Dad will learn this as he discovers the multicolored gifts that I'll leave around our yard...

In a word: dominate!

As a dominant kind of creature, It's my nature to lead. I'd venture to say that if I had big pointy elbows, my Dad would have lots of bruises from me vying for his position as "head honcho." Take our sleeping arrangements, for instance. If Dad were to leave his place on the bed -- even for a moment -- rest assured that I would move in a heartbeat to assume what I consider my rightful position.

Tuning in

On Sunday, my Dad's cousin, Ron, visited us to play guitars. One of my favorite pastimes is listening to him and my Dad play music. For the entire day -- and most of the evening -- our living room was inundated with guitars, amps, stomp boxes, and other kinds of music paraphernalia. Sometimes Ron accepts song requests. In the picture below, he is working out the licks (pardon the pun) to my personal favorite, "Who Let the Dogs Out!"

Strut'n my stuff

During my walk each day, I pass one particular home in my neighborhood with a Chocolate Lab usually laying in the front yard. My Dad thinks I'm silly because just before reaching the house, I start huffing and snorting and craning my neck to see if the Lab is there. Lately, she hasn't been. My Dad thinks I should forego my shenanigans and opt for a cold shower instead...

Raiding the garden

This afternoon my Dad planted his vegetable garden. Every year -- from planting to harvesting -- I conduct clandestine raids, plucking and consuming veggies as soon as they appear. It's only day one of the planting season and already I've been warned to stay out the garden. Do you think that's going to stop a persistent Lab like me? WRONG!

Gifts for Redmond

When my Mom and Dad returned from Redmond on Monday, I scrounged through their suitcase -- as I always do -- and uncovered a cool stuffed toy they brought back for me. When I was resting on the bed after breakfast this morning, my Dad kissed me what seemed like a hundred times. I didn't mind. I let him.