White Trash at Flat Rock

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Ch 8 Water Dog

Anne | February 21, 2010
 

dog on boat

A dog of leisure

The continuing story of Dolly and Bubba – next episode March 7

“Ken,” I gasped. “He can’t swim!”

“I  know.”

We looked at each other. We looked at Peter. We looked at the dark, empty space where the black dog used to be. His face was just visible, a white blaze floating beneath the surface.

After what seemed an eternity, but in fact about the time it took us to say all this, Bubba popped his head out of the water and skedaddled to the safety of dry land.

“Oh, my,” Peter said. “That was scary.” 

“Bubba, are you alright?” I asked. Some dogs like to be addressed in complete sentences. Given Ken’s general formality, Bubba was probably used to being addressed like this.

“He’s fine, he’s fine,” Ken reassured everyone particularly himself. “Come here, Bubba.”

“Oh, here. Here’s a treat.’

“DOLLY! Don’t jump.” Quickly things were back to normal although we now had new things to talk about.

“I don’t think pit bulls can swim.” Ken said. He postulated even further. “They don’t have enough fur to hold air and help them with buoyancy.”

“They can too swim. I saw them on youtube,” I responded. “Maybe some just don’t like to.”

The next day was Dolly’s big test. I took her up to the reservoir alone when no one else would be around to distract the social animal she had become.

I casually lured her down to the beach. Once there, I took off my sandals and walked into the water to just over my ankles. As nonchalantly as possible I called Dolly.

“Dolly, come here. Good girl, come on.”

Dolly, cookie! Cookie!”

Nope, no fooling that one. It was a nice spring day to go for a wade fortunately. I wandered around about a foot from the shore, scoping out rocks, holes and yucky spots I wouldn’t want to step in. Once I figured she had forgotten I called her, I went back to dry land. 

Dolly can be a trusting soul, and she bounded over to see what I was up to now. It was safe; I was no longer in the dog devouring water.

“Dolly, come on,” I pleaded. I tried reason. “I just want to see if you can swim. You don’t have to stay in.”

My pleas fell on deaf, or just uncomprehending, ears. Never one to be thwarted, I reached down and grabbed the ingrate by the collar. 

I harangued her a little just so she’d know who’s the boss. “You’re coming with me. Like it or not. I really don’t care.”

Walking cautiously because of the small rocks underfoot, I dragged her to the waterline. The front paws went out to brace against further forward motion.

Although she’s remarkably strong pound for pound, she’s no match for me and I accomplished my mission. By the time I hauled her to knee deep water she was in over her head. Recalling my childhood swimming lessons, I put a hand under her belly and swam her around me.

I released her and she was off like a shot, running to the land like trident-bristling Poseidon himself was after her. But I was happy; she could swim enough so she wouldn’t sink like her buddy.

Little did I know the dangers we were facing weren’t coming from anything nature could throw at us.

Dog life vests are available  like the ones here. http://www.kooldawgtees.com/fido_float_extreme_dog_life_vest.html

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Dogs, fiction
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dog swim, pit bull, serial, swimming
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12 Responses to “Ch 8 Water Dog”

  1. Lightdance says:
    February 21, 2010 at 7:08 am

    And I heard that soap operas were disappearing! I can’t wait for the next episode.

  2. Anne says:
    February 21, 2010 at 10:54 am

    Thanks for tuning back in!

  3. Bubba Jones says:
    February 21, 2010 at 6:31 pm

    WOOF! I remember now. I’m a sinker. Bone and muscle don’t float. Maybe if I had taken a deep breath… It wasn’t really a big deal. I had walked in over my head. I turned around and jumped up and out. WOOF!

  4. Jane says:
    February 26, 2010 at 10:25 am

    My Husky just hated the water, but our Lab is impossible to keep out of the water, ocean or lake, she is IN!

    If you want your pit bulls to swim, remember they get colder much more quickly, and need to be toweled off when they come out.
    To get them to like the water, get a kid or grandkid to play right on the waters edge, remember no surf or waves, or they will be afraid at first.
    Then get the kid to gently play with a ball or toy then edge out into the water slowly just playing with the dog, give this a few days, and your pit bull might love to swim.
    My friends pit bulls will swim with Lilly after a ball, but they do chill down fast, due to the smooth short coat.
    Just give it time, and be patient, and dont scare the pup, and you will eventually get her to swim. My friends did, took a bit of coaxing on windless and warm days, but their dogs now swim and enjoy it.
    Jane

  5. Suzie says:
    February 27, 2010 at 11:14 am

    Oh my I’m having the hardest time keying this because I’m just laughing too much! My tummy hurts. Great blog article Anne, and I learned a very valuable lesson about life jackets for pups…although I have gotten a lifeguard license in the past, I’m getting tired now and it could save a life;O)

  6. Bubba Jones says:
    February 28, 2010 at 8:18 pm

    WOOF! I can be seen anywhere in the world. I have a Gravatar. It may appear with this comment. WOOF!

  7. Anne says:
    March 1, 2010 at 4:55 am

    Yes indeed. There you are.

  8. Illinois Pet Sitter says:
    March 4, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    What a useful article! Thank you for sharing. I have 3 dogs and I always like finding interesting news about dogs.

  9. Sliloh says:
    March 5, 2010 at 1:22 am

    Hey, I’m with Dolly, I don’t swim either. Still it’s a good idea to make sure your dog can. Right Bubba? ;)

    Anita

  10. Bette Tessendorf says:
    March 7, 2010 at 10:55 pm

    thanks

  11. Richert says:
    March 17, 2010 at 8:48 am

    Arrg, my mouse got jammed. What I was about to say, was that this is a terrific post. Very insightful and informative at the same time.

  12. Anne says:
    March 22, 2010 at 4:57 am

    She’s already wriggled her way into the water while on a particularly vigorous back scratching roll. Pretty funny.

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