Mr. Tan Man is nowhere near the area of the US where today’s annular solar eclipse is visible but reminds everyone to protect their eyes! #DogsOfCoSo

Little Miss Attitude relaxing at home after a week at the local “bed and biscuit” boarding facility. #DogsOfCoSo

Bought these wonderful collars in NH for Mr. Tan Man and Little Miss Attitude both of whom deserve the honor. They’re from www.upcountryinc.com #DogsOfCoSo

Mr. Tan Man and Little Miss Attitude heading for a week at “camp” and feeling fine, thanks to some anti-anxiety meds. I may be raiding their stash myself. #DogsOfCoSo

I’d travel a lot more if I didn’t have to leave Little Miss Attitude and Mr.Tan Man behind. They do fine boarding at the awesome facility we use, but I always feel that I’m somehow betraying them. The fact that each time we drop them off, they trot away happily with the staffers without any drama at all should convince me that all is well, but you #dog people know how this goes. #DogsOfCoSo

One more day before our trip to New England to visit our families. I’m full of manic energy tending to last-minute preparations and feeling a little sad about leaving Mr. Tan Man and Little Miss Attitude at their pawsome boarding place. They seem to enjoy it; each time we arrrive, they trot right off with the staffers without even looking back at us, so I really shouldn’t worry, but… #DogsOfCoSo

There’s a nature path behind my house, and I’ve cleared a little connecting path to my back yard. When Mr. Tan Man and I reach this intersection on his morning #sniffafi, I sometimes ask him, “want to keep going?” and this is the faces makes right before he breaks into a huge grin. It’s hard to believe that he’ll be 13 years old in November. He LOVES to keep going! #DogsOfCoSo

Mr. Tan Man feeling the love on this morning’s #sniffari down by the Intracoastal waterway where a strong breeze from the west brings all the smells. #DogsOfCoSo

Little Miss Attitude is not buying the fact that I’m just too exhausted to take her on her usual mile long walk, or ANY walk at all after my vaccines. #DogsOfCoSo

Whenever Mr. Carolina or I are away for a few hours, Mr. Tan Man keeps his vigil at the door going out from the kitchen to the garage. This is a relatively recent development after having him in our pack for ten years. #DogsOfCoSo

Little Miss Attitude on her morning #sniffari has that feeling you get in the woods that there might be something gaining you. #DogsOfCoSo

Mr. Tan Man also had his trail #sniffari this morning. #DogsOfCoSo

Little Miss Attitude enjoyed an early morning #sniffari along the woodland trail behind our house. We’ve stayed off the trail for most of the summer due to the number of dog walkers (including those who let their dogs run free despite our leash policy) and joggers (despite the uneven terrain and gnarled roots) who use this trail. Those folks seem oblivious to the poison ivy and the occasional alligator slinking up from the adjacent pond. #DogsOfCoSo

Mr. Tan Man was especially interested in whatever he smelled in this morning’s #sniffari down by the Intracoastal Atlantic Waterway. Folks use this dock for crabbing using crab pots, maybe leaving some interesting residue that he found tantalizing. #DogsOfCoSo

Little Miss Attitude enjoying the inspirational art work at the veterinarian’s office. So far, other than some arthritis (hey, she’s 12 years old, the human equivalent of 69 years on the nonlinear age conversion scale), she’s in “perfect” shape. Bloodwork and urinalysis results will follow in a few days. #DogsOfCoSo

We’re getting ready for Little Miss Attitude’s “senior exam” at the veterinarian this morning. It’s never as scary as she or I feel, as we have an absolutely awesome vet who has helped me keep Little Miss Attitude and Mr. Tan Man in good condition “for their age.” Just as my FitBit says that I’m in excellent cardio condition “for women your age.” Everything’s relative when you get old. #DogsOfCoSo

Mr. Tan Man reminds you that turning off your television and taking a walk in nature can be very therapeutic. #DogsOfCoSo

“Momma! This frisbee is abandoned so we can take it, right??” #DogsOfCoSo

This morning, we met the latest doodle-dog “breed” in our neighborhood, an Old English Sheepdog-Poodle mix. I must ask again: if crossing any breed with a poodle results in a “better” #dog, why not *just get a damn poodle* in the first place?? #DogsOfCoSo

One of my dogs (Mr. Tan Man) has been dealing with recurring anal gland compaction, causing him discomfort and a host of related issues. Our veterinarian recommended two options: a small (spoonful) bit of pumpkin pie filling or a supplement called GlandEx, both of which add needed fiber and keep the problem from recurring and keep the secretions moving. So far, both dogs love the pumpkin which is evidently a “superfood” for humans too. #DogsOfCoSo