Labor Day Get-a-way Senior Dog Style!

As the years go by and Tatum gracefully ages into a beautiful & wise old woman, unfortunately her joints aren’t on the same journey. Making her way to 13, Tatum’s muscles and joints are showing signs of wear and tear. She may not realize her limits, as she consistently pulls the leash with all her might on our walks, runs/limps around anyone in her way to get to the front of the pack on the hiking trails, and hopping (what used to be a run) through the tallest grass, deepest woods, and thick brush to fully inspect the wilderness around her when hiking. It’s now up to me to limit the physical stress on her little, lean body and control her exercise regimen to reduce the painful aftermath of recovery.

I’m now on a mission to take my ‘extreme’ dog down a notch. Every adventure is now geared toward “Senior Tatum”, shortening our hikes, encouraging slow walks with plenty of time to stop and sniff the flowers, exploring flat trails, swimming in calm, shallow lakes and cooling off in streams. All of these things make her very happy, and it makes me happy to watch her explore and enjoy the great outdoors as she always has.

Our latest adventure may very well have been her best senior weekend yet! We packed her bed, blankets, bones, fleece outerwear, special campfire food, and of course plenty of Trail Dog Treats to give her energy. Everything a ‘soon-to-be’ 13 year old pup could ask for when spending a couple of days in the woods with her family.

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Happy Trails!