In our house we learn to share. If we get a new hoofie, we take turns at it (because if we each get one we still want the one someone else has). Blondie has a brand new hoofie. Jasper wants the brand new hoofie. What will Jasper do?

Jasper decided to go play ball instead.

Later Jasper got his turn. Blondie found something else to amuse herself with.

He chewed the hoofie for a long while. Then decided to go back to playing ball. He dropped the hoofie in HairyFace’s lap and said, “Watch that for me.” then bounded off down the hall.

Blondie asked, “That’s not how it’s supposed to work, is it?”

“I don’t know … no one has tried that before.” Said Hairy.

“I don’t think that’s how it works. We share.”

“You’re right, Blondie, here.”

Blondie took the hoofie back to her lounging spot and resumed chewing.

When Jasper got tired of playing ball he tried to bribe Blondie into giving him the hoofie again.

“Wanna trade Blondie? I’ll let you play with my Redball …”

Jasper was not happy about Blondie’s refusal.

To ease tensions, HairyFace put a dab of peanut butter in the Kong and gave that to Jasper. That made him happy.

But pretty soon Blondie offered a trade of her own.

“You want the hoofie, Jasper? I’ll trade you this hoofie for that kong.”

Jasper smiled slyly,”Ohhkaaayyyy … here.”

Although the peanut butter was gone, the scent was still there, Blondie still enjoyed licking it. Both were happy.

We had a visit early this morning from a black & tan hunting dog. Blondie Bear and I heard him out front of the house and went into full-alert mode. HairyFace was in the process of fixing breakfast, so NiceLady went out to greet our visitor.   When she opened our gate and tried to coax him in, he trotted the other way. But when she left the gate open and pretended to ignore him, he decided to investigate the play yard and go say “hey” to Millie and Jasper, who were in their pens.

He had a collar and tags, so she figured he was just a little lost (or out on a spree).

There was a phone number on his collar, so my Peoples called his Peoples and let them know where their wayward boy was. It wasn’t long before a truck pulled up our drive and a fella we didn’t know got out. He and Hairy chatted for a bit.

Our visitor’s name was Duke, and it turns out he’s deaf. He and his brother Houdini often go hunting together and as long as they stay together all is well. Houdini lets Duke know when it’s time to go back to the truck for the ride home. If they get separated, Duke can’t hear the recall signal and wanders off. Then the hunter has to hunt his hunting dog!

Duke had gone missing from his home the evening before and run around all night. He was hungry that morning and looking for a meal. Jasper and Millie had just eaten and Hairy was cooking bacon, eggs, and taters. Our house must have seemed like a likely spot to snag some breakfast! Hairy discovered quickly that Duke knows how to open gate latches: clever boy!

Duke was a friendly, well behaved fellow and the peoples enjoyed his visit. Millie and Jasper really wanted to play. Blondie too, for that matter. But the peoples kept us away from him because they didn’t know him and didn’t want anyone to get hurt.

We probably won’t see Duke again, but if he does get away some night, he knows where to find some friendly faces.