Old age comes upon us all, I suppose.

If we're lucky.

But still, it's not something you like to see.

Heeler Mom has been walking with me to the Post Office most days since she was less than four months old. That's over 11 years of walks now.

Been a lot of missed days, when I've been out in the field and it is easier to just stop by to get the mail on my way home. And quite a few days with more than one walk. Usually at least one a month, as I hurry to get my monthly reports in the mail before 16:15, so they'll go out that day.

The walks to the PO are pretty much the only real exercise she gets anymore, other than chasing her kids around when they annoy her.

But for the last two days, she has stayed up on the porch, rather than walking down to the corner to get leashed up for the walk. And laid there enjoying the sun until her daughters and I get back.

Perhaps her feet are getting sore. The pads are splaying out like they do with old heelers. She no longer walks on just her tippy-toes. And the asphault and concrete get hot on bare pads.

Perhaps she just wants to avoid the stress, as her daughters have been acting up a lot on the walks lately. Nipping and snapping and crowding each other. And tearing at clumps of grass along the way, their re-directed threat behaviors.

I haven't taken them into the field for weeks, and they have energy to burn.

Just wait, kids. August will be here in no time, and then you'll get your exercise.

But sooner or later, the Heeler Mom will quit making those short strolls. For good.

And my days will be a little emptier.