We went out looking for Elk on a smokey day. Mom says if the picture looks yellow that is because of the haze from the forest fires. Mom says I am like most poodles - I have to find that perfect spot to take care of my business - and I like grass! So Mom was calling me over to her and she says that I look like I am smiling at her as I come to her.

Since Dad has been out of town she and I work on my retrieving skills this morning. She said it was too cold to work outside at 6:30am, so we worked in the long hallway in the house. It was fun, but then I got distracted by Moose and I took off with the buck. The better part of valor was to let me have it Mom told me. I don't know what that means, but we didn't work long in the hallway.

My Dad is home tonight and he already told me to be prepared to work tomorrow. When Dad got home I followed him into the bedroom while he put his stuff away. I got up on the bed just fine, but then I couldn't get off of the bed. There is a bench at the end of the bed to jump on and Dad has even put a smaller step stool next to the bench so I can get on the bed by myself. Well, I just can't get down! I look down, even to the bench, and it freaks me out! It isn't that big of a step from the bed to the first bench, but boy from where I am sitting it looks like Everest. I don't know what Everest is either, but Mom said that I must think it is Everest, so that has to be pretty high, right? So my Dad talked to me to try and coax me down and he said, "when he doesn't want to do something he sure does give a lot of sass!" I think that means I was pretty mouthy about telling him I didn't want to try and jump down. But I did it! I did it on my own after I told him, "no way!!!" Dad came out of the bedroom laughing and shaking his head at Mom. But, hey, I did it!

I am prepared to be pooped tomorrow - Dad might even have part of tomorrow off to get the duck boat ready. He told me that I can try on Oliver, TGH's neoprene vest, just for giggles and a good picture he said.

Happy hunting!

I am Hugh