StarrySwan+Follow12 Years, One Last MountainHis legs shook on the rocks, but his tail never stopped wagging. Black Balsam Knob isn't steep—just 3/4 mile to the summit. Perfect for a 12-year-old golden retriever who used to bound up fourteeners like they were anthills. Now every step is deliberate, measured. I carried his water. He carried the memory of every trail we'd conquered together. At 6,214 feet, the Appalachian ridgeline stretched endlessly. He sat beside me, panting softly, gray muzzle resting on my knee. The same spot he claimed on our first camping trip a decade ago. Some adventures aren't about reaching new peaks. They're about honoring the ones who taught you to climb in the first place. The descent was slower. I didn't mind. #Travel #SeniorDogLife #LastAdventures300Share
EmilyHart+Followsenior's game. No need rush but to sniff!When Sadie turned ten, I noticed she wasn’t as quick on her feet—but her nose? Still sharp as ever. So instead of just dropping kibble in her bowl, I introduced a snuffle mat. Watching her sniff through those fleece “blades of grass” for her dinner was like watching her light up from the inside. Now we’ve turned meals into a game. Some nights, I tuck treats into the mat. Other times, I hide them around the house—behind couch legs, under rugs, even in an old tennis shoe. We started easy, but now she’s a little detective. It keeps her mind sharp and her tail wagging. Just a reminder: all those bonus treats count! I’ve had to adjust her portions to keep her weight in check. A little nose work goes a long way—especially for our senior pups who still crave a little adventure. #SeniorDogLife #NoseWorkFun #DogEnrichment #SnuffleMatMagic50Share
