Mr. Tan Man’s morning #sniffari featured the intoxicating aroma of jasmine, combined with honeysuckle and magnolia blossoms, three sure indicators that summer is just around the corner here in North Carolina. #DogsOfCoSo

This evening, Mr. Tan Man and hit the #sniffari jackpot with a breakout of honeysuckle blossoms.

Here’s another picture of the gray squirrel - fox squirrel hybrid. This critter was totally unfazed by Little Miss Attitude who was within a few feet of this tree on her morning #sniffari walk.

Mr. Tan Man wishes everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day from the #sniffari trail. #DogsOfCoSo

My favorite sign of spring is the return of the Carolina jessamine to our woods. Unfortunately, its lovely blossoms are toxic to dogs, so we need to be extra careful on our #sniffari walks.

Despite the cold morning temperatures, spring has sprung and Mr. Tan Man is here for it on his #sniffari walk. #DogsOfCoSo

Local feral cat has zero f***s left to give. Not bothered in the least by me and Mr. Tan Man only feet away on our #sniffari walk.

Mr. Tan Man contemplating the forces of the universe that took him from being a stray dog to spending two years in an outdoor “shelter” in South Carolina to living his best life along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in North Carolina… or maybe just enjoying the aromas of low tide on this morning’s #sniffari walk. #DogsOfCoSo

At 13 “human years” old, the canine equivalent of being 82 “dog years” for a dog of his size, Mr. Tan Man is still astoundingly energetic, spurred on by the cold weather to get outside and stay out on his #sniffari walks as long as possible. Here he is enjoying the vistas - and aromas - of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway this morning. #DogsOfCoSo

Mr. Tan Man absolutely loves this “tickle grass” on his morning #sniffari walks. Sadly for him, the landscaping crew will soon be cutting it back as they do annually. No worries, though. It will grow back stronger than ever.

2024’s first #sniffari of the year finds Mr. Tan Man enjoying all new smells along the nature trail. I used to get annoyed at having to stop every few feet to let him sniff a plant or a branch or a stump or a patch of dirt but once I learned that this behavior is an essential part of canine cognition, I have let him set the pace. The result is a calmer, happier dog. #DogsOfCoSo

This article from The Guardian helps to explain my #dogs’ love for #sniffari walks, my mother’s attachment to the gingerbread cookies that her mother made and that I now make, and my fascination with diffusing essential oils. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/25/bolstering-our-sense-of-smell-may-reduce-the-risk-of-dementia

Mr. Tan Man enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures on our morning #sniffari along the pond where the alligator can usually be found basking… but not today. #DogsOfCoSo

Little Miss Attitude and I were reading way too much into these strangely ominous clouds on this morning’s #sniffari. #DogsOfCoSo

Mr. Tan Man and I enjoyed our restorative “low tide” #sniffari this morning down by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. #DogsOfCoSo

Mr. Tan Man enjoying his morning #sniffari along the nature trail that runs behind our house. As always, every single pine needle and leaf has taken on a new smell that must be fully investigated and catalogued.
#DogsOfCoSo

Mr. Tan Man loves it when we take the trail for his morning #sniffari. #DogsOfCoSo

Mr. Tan Man channeling his canine weltschmerz on his morning #sniffari. If #dogs absorb our stress and sorrow, it’s a miracle that they haven’t all spontaneously combusted.

Little Miss Attitude looking positively angelic on this morning’s #sniffari through our neighborhood native plant garden. #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