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.