A week of swimming

Since Sadie took that proverbial plunge into the river last week, she's been a swimming fool.  Everywhere we go and there is water, she's in there like a dirty shirt.  Luckily our local park where we go for most of our walks has a lovely little creek that pools in one area that's just deep enough for her to go for a little swim.  We also had a trip planned into Vancouver so we could go to the aquarium and we decided to bring Sadie along and stop for lunch at the beach so she could go swimming.  She had an absolutely fantastic time swimming in the ocean, even though a doodle kept stealing her stick and the waves were scary at first.  The best part of swimming is all the fantastic exercise she gets.  She is so tired after her swim that she usually spends the rest of the day, sleeping in her dog bed.

My husband and I were commenting on the way home from one of our many trips to the park this week how lucky we got with Sadie.  She's such a sweet, cuddly, calm, mellow, fun loving dog.  She's so eager to please, and so easy to train.  She's just a dream.  And I have to say she sure is beautiful.

And She Swims!

We decided to go to Maple Ridge today to walk on their dyke system and stop at this great dog park they have so Sadie could run and play before having to spend the rest of the walk on leash.  The dog park is situated right on the river, so the dogs can swim if they want.  When we got there, Sadie went into the water and watched some other dogs go swimming, but was way too afraid to actually swim herself.  We stood around for 15 minutes or so, while she played but determinedly stayed in the shallow part of the water.  We decided to walk a little further down the river, so we could see if she would swim where there were no other dogs. And low and behold that's exactly what she did.  We got a few sticks and through them out not so far so she wouldn't be too afraid of going in. She kind of eased herself into an area over her head and started swimming.  After, we went back to the other area (it was decidedly less muddy) and after a little hesitation swimming in front of the other dogs, she was in full force; swimming out grabbing sticks acting like she has been doing this forever.  It was amazing!

 Going in, after the stick

 Almost over my head....

 Swimming!!!!

 Soaking wet!  She looks so skinny with her fur wet!!!

 A serious swimmer now!

 SHAKE!!!!!

Sadie Almost Swims

IMG_0298 a video by meeghead on Flickr.

Now with spring in the air we are anticipating the moment when Sadie makes the great leap into the water for a real swim. Today was almost that day. She went in deeper than she's ever been in before but did not quite make that leap into the unknown. With fantastic almost warm weather on the horizon for the next week or so we are planning a few trips to places with dogs to swim so she can have a few more attempts. I cannot wait for her actually start swimming!

Spring? Where are you?

So at the tail end of February, we got another blast of extreme cold and snow.  Of course this never keeps us from going out with Sadie.  She doesn't care if it's wet, hot, cold, whatever.  As long as we are out, running, meeting dogs, playing with the ball, hiking in the woods, generally having fun.  I will admit to really really missing warm weather and sunny days.  I'm so looking forward to my garden starting to sprout and trips to the lake and the first time Sadie really goes swimming!  Anyway, here are a few pictures from the last couple of days:

 Sadie has a new love, and that is the chuck it orange balls.  She loves playing fetch all of sudden and always willing to go grab that ball.  Unless Trav throws it too far then she is not willing to find it!

 My Ball!  She's actually really great at "drop it" which is so nice.

 I am muddy, and you guys are lagging behind as always.

 She staring at this little flock of robins that invaded the park.  I guess that's a sign of spring?  It was funny watching her chase them off!

At least the sky looked pretty!