Our First Long Walk of the Year

I got out with the dogs last week for our first long walk of the year.

A couple of us are showing our age.

I limp a bit more than I used to, and although I didn’t think it possible, Ace has gotten even slower.

Never a fast dog, Ace has paced himself his entire life. It’s served him well. With the exception of a slower gait and a graying muzzle, you’d never guess he’s almost 12.

I think.

He might be going on 11.

A middle dog, he always slipped under the radar, hunting behind older, better-trained, faster, more enthusiastic dogs.

He didn’t seem to mind and neither did I. He never missed a hunt,...