Day 384

Exhausted pups after a weekend of:

Sniffing

Barking

Walking

Sniffing some more

Running on the beach

Sniffing yet again

Jumping off the dock

Swimming

Looking our the windows

Sniffing once again

Sleeping soundly!

I absolutely love our cabin and the family that gravitates there to be with loved ones. The cabin is also a place where dogs can find just about everything that makes them happy! Having the pups along makes my joy complete!

This was Sam's first trip to the cabin AND his very first time jumping off the dock and swimming! As Ranger, Gus and grandpuppy Bachka flew to the end of the dock and then became airborne before descending into the water, Sammy watched intently. There were only two things going on in that brain of his. First, was the act of learning from his family canines and second was could he actually jump off like the others? After a number of attempts and false starts and stops, he flew through the air and a Lake Dog was born! Now, the only problem is trying to get him back up to the cabin!

Years ago, when sweet Lilly was five or six, we arrived at the cabin to open it up for the season. One of the chores is rolling the dock into the lake. When Lilly and Ranger jumped out of the car, Lilly took off for the water and there was NO STOPPING HER! Down the steps, through the sand and...up the closest dock section. The spectators realized too late what was about to happen. While we shouted her name and tried to get her attention, our girl jumped up on the section, ran to the end and flew through the air...only to hit the sand like a ton of bricks! Of course, by this time we were running towards the limp golden figure on the beach hoping that there were no broken bones...or worse. Approaching Miss Lilly, we witnessed her slowly stand up, shake it off and run into the water with a slower speed, but greater determination! She was fine! Whew!

This weekend, Lilly was still on medical rest, so she had to watch from a window as the rest of her pack played, jumped and swam. Poor baby! After gathering the boys and Bachka and herding them back to the cabin, I saw Lilly looking forlornly out one of the front windows. I couldn't stand it!

Putting on her collar and attaching her leash, I asked her if she would like to take a S L O W walk down to the beach. The look on her face was priceless! With great care and the slowest forward motion EVER, we finally made it down to the water's edge. She looked at me with those big brown eyes and I nodded my head. We walked into the lake and out deep enough so she could float. What a joyful time she had!

The trip home in the car was almost silent...except for the soft snoring coming from our Golden Girl!