Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Who's A Water Dog?

Our goal for this summer has been to get each of the dogs to the lake and see if they like to swim. None of mine had ever been to a large body of water and although they enjoy splashing in their wading pool, a lake is a whole other thing.

Yesterday it was gray and rainy all day, but this morning it looked like it might be a perfect day for the lake. The temps stayed right about 80 and there was a breeze and puffy clouds. Sky, Tess and Norma Jean have already been there, so today we took Noah and Samba. Of course Morgan came along, because Morgan always goes everywhere with us.


I put life jackets on Samba and Noah. Even though Morgan chooses to stay on the boat, she wore a swimming harness for safety. If she should fall overboard, it has a handle that makes it easy to lift her back on deck.


They were all interested in watching the water as we headed for the cove where they swim.


Doesn't Noah look sharp in his jacket?


Samba was ready to play in the water.


Splash was first to show off for his visitors.


Noah swam right out to Rob.


Morgan, as usual chose to sit on the boat and watch.


Noah swam after the water frisbee.


He grabbed it and headed back with it.


With no hesitation Noah went right into the water, even jumping off the side of the boat once. He wasn't terribly interested in retrieving, but enjoyed just swimming around.


Samba loves to retrieve and she went after the frisbee.


I threw it out a little farther each time for her.


Suddenly, the big surprise of the day. Morgan came off the boat and into the water.


She swam after the frisbee.


She grabbed it and brought it back.


Gracie swims like an otter. She just glides thru the water.


Samba and Splash were swimming out together to grab their toys.


Morgan and Samba have always been competitive. When I throw a ball or frisbee they both race after it, but I never expected that Morgan would try to compete in the water.


Splash and Grace couldn't believe that Morgan was swimming. This is her fourth trip to the lake and the first time she's gotten into the water.


Suddenly she thought she was a water dog and was swimming quite a way out to retrieve her toy.


She brought it back each time.


Now the competition was heating up.


Morgan actually beat Samba to the toy.


The next time Samba was there first.

Each time they brought it back, they started barking for me to throw it again. I threw it farther out each time, but they didn't quit. Finally Rob called them in because we had to start for home.


Morgan was amazing. I never expected to see her swim like that.


She was pretty tired and slept on the boat ride and in the car coming home.


Splash and Grace relaxed in their favorite spot.


Noah was sorry to leave. The lake was a lot of fun for everybody.

These dogs made me so proud today. It's hard to express how much. Having never been in water before, they swam and retrieved like pros. What great little animals they are and how lucky I am to have them in my life.

22 comments:

momsue84 said...

What a beautiful post! Thanks so much for the pictures of such a wonderful outing.

GoldenTracks said...

You got to play my favorite game with your dogs! Isn't it wonderful? The only thing better is to swim with them.
Hoorah for Morgan! You go girl!

Rufus and Indie said...

Go Morgan! She is very brave!
Can we go to the lake too?
What a fantastic day!

Kisses
Rufus and Indie

SissySees said...

I have to tell you that for some reason, Morgan brought tears to my eyes! I'm so glad she decided that Samba couldn't have all the fun.

Dianne said...

What a fun day. Good for you, Morgan! You go girl!

soulbrush said...

i have a lump in my throat reading this post and seeing the pictures. wish obama and his family could read your blog, his girls would so love it. you and rob are fantastic 'parents'. love ya and happy doggie thursday to you all.

LizzieJane said...

It even made me proud too! They are indeed wonderful little animals, and yes you are very lucky to have them! I so enjoyed those pic's Sue. Way to go Morgan!
x

Hero said...

What a great adventure you all had! The PWDs that I see here are excellent swimmers so I wasn't surprised when you all took so naturally to it. Morgan especially seemed to enjoy it!

I haven't gotten to swim in any lakes, but I like to do water retrieves at our beach and once I did a belly flop into a river. I wish we had a nice lake here. The only big lake on my island is part of a nature preserve to protect a native species of mosquitoes! Mom says we're never going to go there.

Dawn said...

What fun...love the pictures, always fun to see them!

Lapdog Creations said...

So glad to see everyone swimming and having FUN!!!!! And they all look great with their life jackets too! Very stylish.

the many Bs said...

water is the BEST FUN! of course you kiddos like the water, you are water dogs! we're glad you got to enjoy it.

woofs.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness this is just sooo cute! I bet the dogs felt like they were in doggie heaven. How much fun they must have had! I loved the pictures ♥
Sofie is tewn weeks old. She is a real cutie! Thanks for asking.

Sonya said...

What fun!! I think Morgan just took her time to asses the safety and fun level of swimming. This trip was the one for her.

silfert said...

What a fun post! I always got a kick out of watching the dogs come back from their daily swim in the pond, tails wagging and big grons on their faces. This brought back all those great memories...

Marjie said...

Morgan just wanted her toys back. Silly you, throwing them away!

Looks like a great day, although keeping track of that many pups would kmake me bleary eyed. (Yeah, I know, people say that about my kids.)

Tee said...

wow! they are fantastic swimmers. Looked like they had such a good time swimming and retrieving their toys. I remember reading something about once upon a time ago PWD were bred to help the fisher men dredge in their nets. Swimming is all in their natural make-up ... it's amazing isn't it?

Tee

Thor and Jack said...

Great post! What a wonderful day you all had! I loved your pictures! You sure had lots of fun at the lake! You guys are such a great swimmers! Even Morgan were swimming and retrieving! I´m so proud of you all!
xoxo,
Thor

Poppy Cottage said...

Oh it looked like they had such a wonderful time! Love those jackets ;)

Sharon

Vivian said...

So nice to see these dogs swimming in the lake! They are water dogs indeed. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I was thinking that Morgan looked really sad in that photo where she was on the boat. Yea to her for swimming, I'm so glad they had fun. g

Molly the Airedale said...

The jackets are just beautiful! You guys sure do love the water!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Molly the Airedale said...

We tagged you guys!
Check out our blog!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch