Hi! I’m Gracie Ann Gurley, an adorable golden retriever as you can see from my photo. My dad Todd takes pet photos and I help him. He just came up with a really goofy idea that I should also help with the “writing part.”

So, welcome to the first Tale: Walks are where we learn.

What is a writer anyway? I’m a dog, but I do have a lot to say. I see things. I know things. He wants the stories to be short. He wants to call them Gracie’s Tales because… it’s silly, I have a tail. He thinks he’s funny.

I have a great life. I live in a place where I can walk without a leash. I get to chase squirrels, turkeys, foxes, deers (deer?) and even coyotes. I don’t really chase coyotes but I make them think I will… tail up, head high, back straight. That’s about as scary as I can get. But it works… they always run away.

I learn so much from walks. Me and daddy walk every day. There’s always a new smell. One day I found the best smell ever. I must have smelled too long… when I looked up daddy was gone. I ran, ran, ran down the street and then daddy jumped out from behind a big bush to scare me. I didn’t like that. I try to keep my smelling time shorter now.

Daddy says not all dogs get to walk. I don’t understand why. I smelled a deer before I ever saw one. I know to be extra careful when I smell Coyote poop. One time we were walking near the creek, and I smelled something new. I found a family of furry things splashing in the water. Daddy says they were racoons and that they can be mean. Daddy didn’t see them at first, but I knew they were there. I always smell things before I see them.

A walk is my most happy place in the world. I make daddy go on our morning walk before we eat breakfast.

Promise me you’ll take your dog for a walk tomorrow.

More from Gracie’s Tales

Tale #2: Why we lose our minds when you come home
Spins, tail wags, and the happiest moment of a dog’s day.
Read this Tale →

Tale #3: When a new dog changes everything
Ellie arrives, and Gracie’s world turns upside down.
Read this Tale →