Meet Duke
Hi, Kids!! Duke, here. My human, Linda, is writing this for me because I'm sure you all know that since I am a dog I can't write so my human has agreed to help me.
I'm what the humans call a chocolate lab. Lab is short for Labrador Retriever.
I'm about 2 years old in your years but about 14 years old in doggie years but I still think like a puppy. The humans say that labs can think they are puppies for as long as 4 human years so I guess I can still be a puppy for some time. If you click on my picture, you can read all about Labrador Retriever's.
I am a very happy dog. I love to go with my humans in the car. My human, Linda, (she calls herself "Mom") takes me with her when she runs errands like going to the bank. I ride in the back seat with the windows down so I can stick my nose out the window.
My Mom will take the side roads so she can drive slower and let me take in all the neat smells along the way. We usually stop at a drive through fast food place and I always get a cup of ice water (and of course a little treat, but don't tell anybody.) A lot of places like the bank will give me a milk bone.
My mom would take me more places but she does not like to leave me in the car by myself. It can be dangerous for me in hot weather as cars heat up real fast and sometimes bad people steal cars and pets out of cars and we don't want that to happen!!!
My humans also take me for walks and to the parks. I really enjoy this and its good exercise too. But in hot weather we have to be careful because I get hot quick. Dogs do not sweat like humans. We dogs have to "pant" to sweat and can get overheated easily. If you walk your dog or take your dog on trips or errands, be sure you have plenty of water for him or her to help your dog cool off.
Speaking of cooling off, I love water. My humans have a huge yard with lots of plants and they water them every day. I love to help and best of all I love to drink from the spray coming out of the hose. Of course, I get all wet, but that's the best part of it. Labs are natural swimmers and my feet are webbed to aid in swimming.
Now to explain the "retriever" part of my breed. Throw me a ball and I will retrieve or fetch it all day long. This is because we were made to retrieve or fetch things.
My humans buy me lots of green tennis balls. They are all over my yard and house. If my humans are too busy to play with me, I will play by myself. I will throw the ball up in the air with my mouth and go running after it.
Unfortunately, in the house, I usually get the ball stuck under the buffet and china cabinet. I lay down and stare at the ball for a long time. Occasionally, I will whine until my human comes to see what the problem is. And then, if I'm lucky, my human will get down on the floor with me to get the ball. Not only do I get my ball back but I get to lick my human because I have him or her on the floor, you know "down to my size."
I love kids. I don't have any kids of my own but I have kids that visit me. We go outside and play ball alot. Actually, the little kids wear me out!!! Believe it or not, they have more energy than I do!! My human makes us all come in and rest. When we do, I lay down and one boy, Zachary, snuggles right up to me. We are buddies!!!
I also live with two cats. One is Shadow. He is an older cat and doesn't
put up with me much but I do chase him now and then. He wacks me on the nose but I pretend like I don't even feel it.
Sometimes when he gets on my mom's lap, I rush up to him and he takes off. Of course, then I hop up on the couch next to my mom so I can get some lovin!! Pretty smart of me, if I do say so myself!!! But usually Shadow comes back and then mom's got both of us to love on so I guess it's OK after all.
The other cat is Miss Kitty. She is a little older than me but she is very afraid of me. She hisses at me every time she runs by me.
I like to chase her too but my humans correct me so most of the time I will lay quietly on 
the couch while she slips by me. But I still really would like to chase her! I won't hurt her, even if I would catch her, but she doesn't know that. She doesn't really like other animals and because I am so big she wants to make sure I don't get too close. But I just really want to play with her!!!
I quess you picked up on the fact that I get on the couch. I sleep there a lot and in my mom's bed. My mom let's me.
I know a lot of humans don't like their dogs and cats on the furniture but my humans don't mind. They keep covers on and wash the covers so things will stay clean. And, of course, I like to get on the couch and bed because mom does and its a lot softer than the floor.
But if your mom and dad don't let your cat or dog on the furniture then you shouldn't either. Because there are no kids living in our house, my humans kind of treat me and the cats like their kids. Lots of humans call me "spoiled." I guess I am but I really don't know what that means. My mom says I am a good dog and I obey pretty good. But sometimes I get a little too excited and then I may not listen quite as well.
I hope you come back and visit me often. Since I don't have any kids at home, I would really like to visit with you at Duke's Kid's Club. I would like to tell you about myself, my family, and about taking care of pets, so come back soon for more visits!!!