Good dog. Well dog.

It's a maxim in the dog kingdom that even a trip to the vet's includes a ride in the car.

This morning, I brought Marley to the vet's for his annual physical. For a 12, almost 13,-year-old dog, he's doing fine. It takes a bit more effort for him to jump in the car. He's lost a half-pound since his last visit. His heart rate is nice and slow. Sometimes, his hearing needs a boost, but he finds a way to listen to what he wants to listen to.

Now that the cooler weather has arrived, he spends more time in front of the wood stove, enjoying the warmth, waiting for the next good thing to happen.