If you’re going to play with water, you’re going to get wet. 
Learning how to make bubbles.
Grandpa, this is pretty cool.
Big kick, big ball.
On to the cows. Aaron really likes to go moo and listen to the cows respond.
They are very interesting to watch, but what about the babies?
Finding the babies.
Who are as curious about them as they are about the baby cows.
It becomes a stare down.
Enough of the cows…for now.
Hi everyone, I’m sorry I haven’t posted in so long. Life seems a little too busy for this time of year. But I am going to try and catch up.
Here we found a wild orchid on one of our walks through Blue Mounds State Park. It is really a beautiful site amongst all the greenery.
Duke has decided to take a cool bath. Usually the streams he finds are full of mud. This is a nice alternative.
Duke is now 6-0 for his fights with raccoons.
It is amazing he can carry one as far as he does. They are heavy animals.
Taking a break is allowed.
But leaving it behind, not a chance. Duke will take this animal home and bury it. Duke does not come away from these fights without injury. This last one has left him with a scraped and swollen nose and a hurt foot. Although he enjoys this sport and kills them on the spot, it is the lingering diseases they carry that we worry about. We’re trying to end this sport for fear that it will do more damage than what we can see.
Duke is taking a break after running up and down the hills and valleys while we just merely hike along. He probably covers 10 miles for our every mile. Boy, is he a fine looking dog!
Okay, so he’s spoiled. But seriously folks, it is cold outside.
As the winter season moves in, Duke is spending less and less time outdoors. This really isn’t his choice, but we are spending less time outdoors and he likes to be with us. Today was cold, but sunny, so Duke and I took a nice long walk.
One of our favorite things to do is walk along the trout stream.
There are lots of critters and smells for Duke to explore.
It was time well spent.
Aaron and Ashley came for a visit and we went outside to hang with the chickens.
He is definitely interested in these strange birds.
One finally did stop long enough for him to touch some feathers.
The chickens are as interested in him as he is in them.
Perhaps they are even more interested. His little fingers are looking tasty.
And, what the heck is that?
Well, you can’t go long without Duke getting some of the action.
Everyone is enjoying the nice weekend.
…especially Duke.
People have been asking…”where are the Duke photos?” He’s still here. He’s still the great dog you all know and love.
Duke is a big fan of laying in the sunshine and soaking up the rays.
But he also spends a lot of time being on watch just in case another one of those raccoons wants to eat a chicken.
Duke says “hi” to all his fans.
