This is the Way We Do Our Chores
June 19th, 2009One of our chores on the homestead is checking the mail. It’s a big chore, and we take it very seriously. So each evening, we head down the driveway.
We romp around for a while.
We wrestle a bit.
We do a little lounging while mom gets the mail.
We stop by the creek for a sip of cool water.
And then we search for hidden treasures.
There’s got to be a hidden treasure.
Found it!
Hey! Just who’s hidden treasure is it, anyway?
We stop and look at the pretty Indian Pipes.
And we find some neat mushrooms.
We dig and sniff around for anything we might have missed.
And when it’s time to head to the house, we sit back and smile with satisfaction at the great job we’ve done at our chore of getting the mail.
Bee Free,
Penny
Tags: puppies
June 19th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Checking my mail isn’t nearly as fun as checking your mail!!! D&D have grown so much!!
June 19th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Hi Jocelyn - These puppies have turned the mundane chore of getting the mail into a true adventure. And they are extremely committed to that chore. They go every single day, rain or shine - even on Sundays! They don’t care if there is mail there or not
It takes me 10 times longer now that they go with me every day, but I love it!
June 19th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Do you have critters in the woods along the way to the mailbox…like deer or foxes? Are Dolly and Diesel good about coming back when called? We haven’t encountered any critters on our ranch when the dogs were with us, but it is bound to happen one day. I’m afraid they will take off in hot pursuit and not listen, espcially George!
June 19th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
They totally know the drill. I think they just let you come along so they can have more fun!
So, are those Indian Pipes slimey? They look like they might be slimey.
And when they are all done in that creek…and all wet and sloppy….is that when they want to jump in your arms and give you bug hugs???
June 19th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Ohhh can I come and get your mail with you??? That looks like just too much fun…almost makes one wish for junk mail as an excuse to go to the box! Kim
June 19th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Lilla - We do encounter critters most days. Mostly rabbits and ground hogs. And Diesel and Dolly do chase them. But we have worked so much with them to NOT chase chickens, that I am able to stop them as soon as they start running with a firm “leave it” command. That’s not to say they don’t still try to chase rabbits, ground hogs, and chickens! They’ve just finally learned to listen when we tell them to leave it! If I could offer one bit of advice, it would be to start working with them now. Put down a snack and then work with them to “leave it” until you say ok. They need to recognize a command that tells them to leave something alone. It’s a lot of work and probably even more so with older pups - but it honestly pays off in the long run.
Frugalmom - oh, they SO know the drill. They start whining at mail time and when I say “Let’s get mail” they take off. I just tag along to CARRY the mail and to take pictures on occasion. I thought about letting Dolly carry the mail, but she would take it swimming with her.
The Indian Pipes are not slimy - they actually feel waxy. They’re pretty cool. And yes, wet and sloppy hugs and kisses for sure. But those puppies are so darn cute I can’t deny them.
Kim - come on over! Mail time is pretty fun. Like I told Jocelyn, these pups have to check mail every single day - even Sunday. I can honestly say I laugh out loud every single day when we’re checking mail.
June 20th, 2009 at 6:04 am
Great pictures ! Oh, how we remember that driveway. Not exactly “motorcycle-friendly” :)))))
June 20th, 2009 at 6:20 am
Shirley - don’t tell me that Georgia biker has gotten “soft” in his old age!!! Our driveway looks like the Autobon compared to some of the back roads I’m sure Chainsaw has ridden on
BTW - they graded and put down new gravel on the main road out front. Now the pot holes are full of small rocks- so it’s not only bumpy, but slippery too. Makes our driveway seem like a smooth ride 
June 20th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
What adorable dogs and they have such big grins on their faces! I know they have been having fun. Your pictures are really good.
I checked the sites you referred to on Lilla’s blog concerning Lady Bugs and Asian Lady Beetles. You are so right - what I have been calling Lady Bugs are Asian Lady Beetles. Thanks so much for the information!
June 20th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Hi Sweet Virginia Breeze - thanks for stopping by! And thanks for the nice comments on the pups. Those Asian Lady Beetles are really pesky - we’ve had a full house infestation of those things in the past! They stink pretty badly when squished too. Yick! And the little buggers bite. I know they are beneficial, but I’m not a big fan of those things.
June 20th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Penny, our dogs are older—like 7 and 8 years, and they DO know how to leave it, usually. I am just concerned that something like a deer or a cow would be oh too tempting and that “leave it” command would totally fly out of their heads. I guess only a true encounter will tell!
I’m so glad to see that Sweet Virginia Breeze came over to your site from my blog. It’s nice to get new blog visitors, isn’t it? And you two ladies are in the same state…imagine that!
June 21st, 2009 at 5:13 am
Lilla - ooops. Sorry - I misunderstood your question! I agree - until they are faced with a running animal in the wild, it’s hard to know how they’ll react. These pups have been tempted by running chickens since they got here - and they’re still chasing them! They’re getting better, but something that runs just looks like TOO much fun!
I was ticked to see Sweet Virginia Breeze popped in! It’s fun seeing fellow bloggers at different places - kinda running into a friend in a coffee shop!
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Lovely pictures. The pups have gotten so big, it’s hard to believe they are only a few months old.
July 5th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
LOL….great blog. The pups look like they sure enjoy their chore. What a hard life they lead LOL. Your pictures are beautiful by the way! Thank you so much for sharing. Please give the babies a hug from me. I can’t believe they are the same little pups I sent home with you just a few months ago. You have taken wonderful care of them.
By the way, their uncle Popeye got a wonderful home near DC!
July 6th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Betty Sue - yep. We don’t allow slackers around here. Everyone must pull their weight on the homestead
I can’t tell you how much joy these puppies have brought us. They are the sweetest things I have ever met. And I’m so happy Popeye got a good home! We’re still hoping to see you when you find yourself in this area and have a few minutes for a detour.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:10 am
What a dog’s life your pups have. Have you ever said, “when I die, I want to come back as one of my own dogs.”
I love when they stick their whole face in the water. Mine used to love to do that to retrieve rocks from our local creek. Can’t do it anymore because it’s barely rained in two years. (sigh)
July 9th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Hi CeeCee - We’ve ever had a dog before Dolly that would submerse her full head in water. It is just too fun to watch! It’s really cool yours does that too. Our creek typically dries up in the summer. It’s well on it’s way to drying up now. Makes me sad.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Hi, on our next trip up I will make time to come visit if we can. I would love to see you and the pups.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
We’d all love to see you, Betty Sue - stop by anytime!