Doing the Dog Paddle

This has been, for lack of a better term, a very “interesting” summer. The spring was too wet and we survived flooding all over the state. The crops were late getting in and we had ankle high corn by the fourth of July instead of the intended knee high. Usually, these days with the hybrids, we have head high plus corn by July. Not this year.

I have been getting gobs done though, even if part of the gob is not keeping up with the blogging. Gob Blogging. Wonder if there is a market for that?

I have been taking photos almost every day and I have a great backlog of things to use to illustrate the blog clear through to the autumn months and beyond.

For today’s subject, we took the puppies to the pond a few weeks ago, and Bella, the swim master, part otter dog, taught everyone the fine art of swimming. The “beaglador” Lab/Beagle mix was the only one who sat the first session out and refused to get her feet wet.

Bella shows her glide swim to the group.
Bella shows her glide swim to the group.
Radar jumps right in without hesitation. A large bass would see him as bait right now.
Radar jumps right in without hesitation. A large bass would see him as bait right now.
Gracie studies carefully the form and style of the swimmers
Gracie studies carefully the form and style of the swimmers
She's off!
She’s off!
Oh, no! My butt is sinking!
“Oh, no! My butt is sinking!”

"What am I doing wrong, mom?"

“What am I doing wrong, mom?”

"Teach me, wise dog of the water."

“Teach me, oh Bella, wise dog of the water.”

"First you focus outside yourself and your fears. Use a focus point to become one with the water."

“First you must focus outside of your fears. Find a goal. Like that stick. Become one with the water.”

"Sucess, grasshopper!"

“Success, grasshopper!”

A new champion swimmer
A new champion swimmer

The hard part now, has been keeping Gracie OUT of the water. She takes a dive every chance she gets. All the dogs use the horse tank now when we are not near the pond. Even the chocolate beaglador, Hannah.

Hannah Marie

Hannah Marie

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