What’s the definition of a door? It’s what dogs always want to be on the other side of!
We just left southern Indiana where we spent the whole day playing in the sun. From swimming to boating to walking and even shopping we did it all. Brad and I got up early this morning to take the dogs out swimming at the beach. This was only the second time both dogs have gone swimming in Lake Lemon and we were curious as to the extent of their abilities at lake swimming. Swimming in the ocean is quite different than lake swimming. In the ocean, the dogs mostly ran into the wake and then back out. They loved running up and down the ocean shore when we were in South Carolina but swimming at the beach in southern Indiana was a different kind of swimming. This amounted to actual swimming ability. Max was a natural. Although we don’t know his lineage, he must have swimmer genes in him. Newfoundland’s are known for their swimming ability and most take to the water as second nature. However not all Newfoundland dogs like or are able in the water. One of our past Newfies, Beau didn’t like the water and was not comfortable at all when we tried to get him to swim. Max is completely different. He is as graceful as any swimming dog. His long hair floated out as he paddled along. Newfies don’t actually dog paddle like other dogs. They do more of a breast stroke. Watching Maxie swim was like watching canoe or a duck in the water. Hardly any water was churning as he moved out and around in the water. He glided around us. Beautiful!
Beeker was a completely different kettle of fish. First of all, Beeker came readily out to me in the water, but having said that, he panicked as he swam towards me and splashed water up with every stoke. As the water splashed in front of him he tried to bite it. After alming down he relaxed into swimming strokes and looked more like an Otter with his long sleek body. As he reached the place where I was standing (chest deep in lake water) he again started splashing with large strokes, grabbing towards me where I was positioned. He grabbed at me like a monkey with his front paws. But he was swimming! Beeks uses a good dog paddle when he is relaxed and calm.
I'm sure you can imagine the whole scene at the beach… Beeker swimming out to me and back to shore with somewhat frantic strokes, happily back on the beach to swim back out again to me, as Maxie slowly cruised around so light in the water. I loved it and so did the dogs! What a great way to wear them out. Later when Brad’s sister and crew (kids and dogs) arrived Brad and his dad (just recovering from a knee replacement) took the younger boys out in the pontoon boat around the lake while Sis and I took the dogs (4 in all) back down to the beach for another swim. Beeker and Max got a great work out!
After realizing I was in the water with my phone in my pocket we left the beach and returned to the house. After settling the dogs we decided to drive to Nashville, Indiana, an artist colony now a shopper’s paradise of trendy artsy shops to die for! I love looking around and hardly ever buy but hey, what’s not to love about shopping! Back home we helped Brad’s mom (still recovering from a femer reconstruction) fix a great summer meal of sweat corn, tomatoes with mozzarella and basil, and a grilled pork roast! It was a fantastic ending to a great weekend with our pups! Both dogs are now down for the count and sleeping like dogs on a hot afternoon (at 7pm its still 86 degrees). I bet they won’t wake until we’re home. Perfect!
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