I am now safely back in Virginia after my 1534 mile (2468 km) drive home from Texas. My time in Texas was wonderful, especially the wedding that I attended, but unfortunately I contracted COVID shortly thereafter. As a result, I extended my time in Texas by several days as I recovered from my symptoms that were mercifully mild and short in duration. In addition to the initial two Pfizer shots, I have had three booster shots, including the new “bivalent” version, which I believe helped to mitigate the effect of the virus.
Thankfully I was not alone and was dogsitting for the happy couple’s two delightful dogs, who helped to keep me company during my five day isolation. I love the long shadows of the early morning and late afternoon and captured this first image one morning when I was walking Oscar, their English Spaniel—this is my favorite kind of “selfie” shot. Freckles, their Cocker Spaniel, requires shorter walks because of an injury and was waiting our return at home, where I captured the second image. As was the case with treats, I decided that I had better give the two dogs equal treatment in this blog posting. 🙂
For the record, a photo of Freckles first appeared in the blog in February 2013, when she was only a year old, in a posting entitled “Dogsitting on a Saturday night.” The couple adopted Oscar, who is also about ten years old, two years ago and this is his first appearance in the blog.
I will probably be taking it a bit easy for the next week or so, but I am sure that I will find some interesting recent photos of my adventures in nature to share with you all.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
The hair and the eyes: so so beautiful !!
Michael
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Thanks, Michael. Both dogs are so sweet and a joy to be around.
I’m glad you’ve pulled through Mike and it sounds like you’re doing ok. Loved seeing the photos you’ve shared from your time away! Rest up now!
Welcome back! Glad you are feeling better!
I am glad the effects of Covid were mild. The drive must have been satisfying. How long did it take ? Regards, Lakshmi
Thanks. I had thought about taking my time, but ended up completing the trip in two days.
Glad you are home and on the mend. Great you had such sweet canine company as you recovered. Please take care.
Great to be joined by the spaniels today, Mike, and I especially like the long-shadow photo. I’m sorry to hear you got sick despite your many precautions, and hope your healing continues.
Glad you weathered COVID okay. We also contracted it after returning home from a trip to Vegas. Like you, the symptoms were mild. I’m grateful we had our bivalent booster a few weeks before our trip.
Aw! My last dog was a cocker spaniel. I love their eyes and floppy ears.
I am sorry Covid caught up with you but I am glad your symptoms were mild. Yay for vaccines.
Take care , Mike! Lucky you have the company of those two gorgeous dogs.
I’m so sorry that you were sick, extra unpleasant when not at home, even with these wonderful companions.
Reader on my PC shared your first post about Freckles, and another with her after she’d stuck her snout in some snow. Very cute captures!
Take care, Mike, as you complete your recovery.
Glad you are ok! Sounds like you had good company.