Here's what Dr. Google (joke - I mean Google) and a veterinarian I called have to say about pets and the eclipse:

COULD a dog (or any animal) burn his retina looking up at the eclipse? Yes.

WOULD an animal be LIKELY to look at the eclipse? Probably not. But what if he looks up, not out of curiosity, but to look at you, or a bird... Oops. Lifetime damage. Remember, it takes just a few seconds. And you don't FEEL it at the time. It doesn't hurt.​

Suggestion: Keep your pets and other animals inside for the eclipse, just in case.

In addition, Dr. Julia Albright, an animal behavior expert at the University of Tennessee, says a dog "might perceive the mid-day darkness as the beginning of a storm," so if your dog has fears during thunderstorms, you may have to take the same measures for the eclipse that you do a storm.

​Ok, Kids... Watching the eclipse? Have fun! (But without Fido?)​

Under the umbrella

Hiking

Biking

Colors

More colors

Sizes

I saw these great dog packs this morning on Good Morning America. Normally $70, thru GMA, and TODAY ONLY, they are half price, $35. Click here to order TODAY by midnight (and only while supplies last).

If you miss the sale, and still want to purchase one, go to the company's website.

Hope to see you and your kids on the trails. Let 'em run, of course! When they've had enough... pack 'em up! (Remember their water.)

If you need help training your dog to LIKE and STAY IN the pack, I'm your gal! (Remember I can train you by phone, as crazy as it sounds - and I have a money-back guarantee.) And if your dog is afraid of, or resistant to, the pack, DO NOT force him. Call me for help! The more you trigger his fear, the harder it will be - maybe even impossible - to get him to like it.

Most dogs, of course, will LOVE riding around in the pack. HAVE FUN!