Our house sits next to a small wooded area. That makes it sound like we’re out in the country – we’re not. We’re in a neighborhood in the midst of town so lots of population and such. It just so happens a small protected waterway runs back there so we have trees that make for a nice space.

It’s pretty when it’s green and lush. It’s also pretty in winter when I can watch the hawks who’ve built nests high in the trees. It’s a win/win year round.

Gracie was meandering up the road over the weekend, sniffing grass and considering her pee options when she stopped by the trees. These days when she stares intently I tend to assume she’s hit a snacking glitch. Like she’s smelled a yummy piece of mulch she’d love to chomp on or something like that.

Nine times out of ten it’s safest to bet on an eating distraction with Gracie. #GoldenRetrieverLife, right? But this time I got down on her eye level with a what is it, girl? What are we looking at?

This time we were looking at a family of deer, two large, two small, moving through the trees. I was mesmerized by their stillness; Gracie was desperate to go run with the big dogs.

Gotta love those little surprises in your own backyard.