1. Kids’ faces to lick. Like many American families, ours gathers over the Labor Day weekend, including my nieces and nephew.  Here’s what Gertie’s capable of when it comes to kids:

This baby receiving a lickdown from Gertie is our friends’ son Nolan. Ella is 16 months old, so I’m sure she’ll be in the same boat as Nolan.

Now let’s check out Duke’s tongue and think about the implications for the children:

My bet: Duke will be able to slurp a child’s cheek from about five feet.

May your dogs find chubby cheeks to bathe in slobber this weekend.

2. Run Free! Dogs love to run free–no leash or harness to hold them back, ears flying, tongues flapping in the wind. This weekend, Gertie will introduce Duke to The Farm. The farm is more of a wildlife preserve and retreat for my parents, and my dad drives Gertie out in his big red truck (so she now has an affinity for big red trucks; on a walk one day, she stopped in the middle of the street and begged to go get into a stranger’s red truck). The farm is bordered by actual crops. The variety of animal smells really attracts the dogs, as well as the pond for drinking, wading, or stealing fish food. But the room to run is the biggest draw.

May your dog find room to run this weekend.

3. Food. Little kids + tasty meals = yummy crumbs for dogs. And sometimes naughty grandpas offer treats as well.

May your dog enjoy delicious (and hopefully healthy!) treats this weekend.

4. Smells. The Labor Day weekend provides plenty of odorous entertainment. In addition to the yummy kid food mentioned above, and any grilling and celebratory desserts, the farm and my parents’ wooded yard offer scents from woodchucks, deer, squirrels, rabbits, birds, raccoons, and more. I love to watch Gertie snuffle through the grass when she’s caught a particularly pungent scent, and I’m sure Duke will be on the trail too.

May your dogs sniff to their nostrils’ content this weekend.

5. Duh–Mom and Dad don’t go to work!

May your dog enjoy quality time with you this weekend!

What are you and your dogs doing this Labor Day weekend?