Gone Swimmin' ....

Nothing better to do on a scorching hot summer day then to hit the local swimming hole, pool, or lake.    Dogs are no different than us, they love a cool dip as well and the exercise can not be beat.
In the above picture Jamoka is swimming and Echo is just getting into the local lake with him.   They all loved the trips to the water and although not all my dogs would swim, I would encourage them to at least wade in the cool wakes. 

Jamoka and Echo both believed that the ducks and geese that landed on the lake could be caught.   The dogs would swim as fast and sneaky as they could and, of course, just before they reached their feathered friends, the ducks or geese would fly off looking a tad bit annoyed.   Undeterred, they would head to the new spot to try again.   Jamoka and Dozer were such avid swimmers, like with human children, we often had to call them back in to rest.

Water sports are wonderful for re cooperation from injuries.   After a fellow Doberman named Izac, was hit by a car, he and his owner went for many rehab trips to the lake.   It took nearly a full year but he regained all his mobility.   If you have a pool at your home, it is a wise choice to teach your companion how to swim, where to enter and exit.    Fencing at home to keep the unmonitored dog out is needed as well.   I have seen some people who allow their dogs free access and never watch them, I feel these people are foolhardy and will regret that decision if they ever find their animal could not get out of the pool.    Not all dogs swim, some dogs are just not built for that and because of the body type they can doggie paddle for only a short time before they wear out and may drown.    Never is it a good idea to toss your unsuspecting four legged friend into the deep.   It only serves to frighten them.    Gently show them the waters edge, or get into it first and coax them in after you.  You can use flotation devices to help them get started and after supporting the belly and showing them not to be afraid, allow them to explore the ability to swim with you as an anchor.    Frightened dogs in the water nipping and scratching are no fun, so go very slow and be ready to pull them out of harms way.

Some dogs can swim and simply prefer not to.   Missy and Blake would rather have been hot, sitting on the shoreline and watching the fish swim then to ever get in more than belly high in the waves.   But for most of my other pets, the lake was a place to kick loose, run like the wind, and be a dog.    The lake we visited was in a huge fenced area and they were allowed off leash.   Be sure to check with your local park or recreation center, Department of Natural Resources , or your local sheriff /police to see where your pets are allowed to swim and be loose.   Always remember to clean up after your pet, no one wants to share your waste when they walk through the area.

I recall one of the many times that Echo had finished her romp in the water and set off to deer hunt.   No, she could not catch the deer, she only thought she could.   Most of the time Echo would trail, nose a few inches above the dirt, running as fast as her Doberman legs would carry her, following what she was sure was a new scent of some deer.    99 out of 100 times she would come back, tongue nearly dragging the ground, covered in dirt, and exhausted from chasing deer ghosts.  But there is always that one time......

  I waited and waited, the sun was near setting and the day was late in autumn.  I called to Echo many times and began to worry she had found her way out of the drive entrance to the park.   Walking quickly up the all dirt road I saw three adult deer break out of the woods and head over a fence into the bean field.   Hot in pursuit was Echo !   She, at last, had found real deer !    Having no reason to stop because she didn't realize she was even tired, and her quarry in her sights, she was running hard, leaped  over the fence and into the bean fields.    I stopped yelling as I saw the deer head out way ahead of her and vanish.   I just started walking, gathering the other dogs with me for what I was sure would be a long trek.   Grumbling to myself, I plodded through the field looking for the not lost Echo (at least she didn't think she was lost).   I got about three minutes of walking in when I saw the familiar, although not quite as bouncy, Echo, headed my way over the beans.    When she reached me, exhausted, she nearly fell on the ground.    I sent a friend of mine back for the car so we didn't all have to walk back.  After putting the dogs all into the air conditioned car and giving them fresh water from home, along with a rub down for Echo's tired muscles, we headed home for the always needed bath.

My best estimation is that Echo ran about two miles after the deer before turning back.   A good lesson to know when you think your dog can not ever be that far from you.    The next trip to the lake I made sure did not involve late evening trailing.

So live it up this summer, take your companion along, and participate in joint the sports of dock diving, water retrieval , boating, and swimming.  Always be safe and look out for the welfare of your pets.  Maybe you can enjoy your summer more and both get in some work out time without the high gym prices.



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