While Daryl has been gone I have had a difficult time giving Oakley (our Lab) enough exercise. He was a work dog with Daryl many times when he was working in the bush, but sadly, camp rules include "no dogs". I can take Evan for a walk with the stroller in the snow fine (the snow is off the roads now and some sidewalks, but there is still 4 feet of snow in most places). Oakley is such a big powerful freak though, and I can't take them both unless I'm sure to have good control (ie:no snow hazards). So this has left me trying to play with him with Evan when we are inside which is interesting, or when Evan is asleep I take the monitor with me outside. It works out well when there is snow to shovel because that gives Oakley some fun with flying snow, but yesterday was the best game for him since Daryl's departure.

I noticed a grouse in our front yard yesterday. This is not a common occurance. In fact, this has never happened, and I have no idea what the hell this stupid bird was doing so far in town. It definitely did not chose a good yard to come to. Why? Oakley is a well trained hunting dog. He is not well trained at anything else mind you, but hunting seems to be his niche...that Retriever blood. For me to say to him "where is/go get the grouse" is equal to other dogs x10 when asked if they want to go for a walk.

So I took this opportunity to give my poor depressed inactive dog (and the grouse as it would seem) some much needed exercise. He chased that thing around for a good 5 minutes, and was running around another 10 minutes afterwards all hyped on adrenaline. Now I don't want anyone worrying about the poor bird, it was safe the whole time. In fact it was only actually in the yard for a minute, the rest of the time it was on our roof, the garage, and the neighbour's roof and yard as well. It flew around and Oakley tried to get it. too funny. They are very stupid animals but I don't think they are stupid enough to make this a daily exercise, and actually, a training exercise. Too bad, Oakley sure had a good time, and I did watching it.