Swim Lessons

One of the best things about house sitting was having access to our own private pool.  I would spend about an hour sunbathing every day (rough, I know) and the only thing that made the Texas heat bearable was the fact that I could jump in the water any time.  No lifeguards to tell me to clear the pool, no kids running around or splashing me, and the extra special bonus of no pee in the pool.

Scott would always join me once he was home from work, and he was determined to get Alley in the water.  I'm not sure I mentioned this, but when we went to Lake Texoma Alley walked out onto the front edge of the pontoon boat to sniff around.  She found herself in a predicament when she tried to turn around and realized the edge wasn't wide enough to do that.  Like the wonderful pet parents we are, Scott and I stood there smiling, watching her think it through until she decided to go for it.  Sure enough, she fell in.  She quickly resurfaced, slapping her paws on the water in an attempt to swim to the boat.  Her frantic efforts caused her to swim under the boat, but luckily Scott grabbed her harness and pulled her out.  Can you say traumatic?  Besides that, she is a Blue Heeler, known for herding cattle.  She likes land, people!

I pleaded with Scott, "just love her for who she is!  Stop trying to make her into a water dog."  My breath was wasted.  

Fortunately, he didn't just throw her in, he carried her.  She was calm as he held her to his chest.  But as soon as he would make space between them she would cling to his arm for dear life (thus, the reason for wearing a shirt).  The closer her face got to the water, the tighter she clung.  

I'm not sure he ever got her to paddle on her own, but eventually she relaxed enough to stand in belly-high water on the pool steps.  Stressful, but refreshed.  All the while Radar was watching at the edge of the pool.  He didn't jump in that day, but he would eventually.

Having tormented the dog for long enough, Scott let her go and enjoyed the water on his own.