Swimming Instruction 101

Dog owners had told us that we should make sure our dog could swim. It was important, they said, that he know what to do should he fall into the pool. Having taught this same thing for over 30 years to humans, I agreed and we had our little Elliot in the pool as soon as the water was warm. He had no trouble and swam right off the bat to the stairs where he climbed out and ran around the deck as if we had dropped him into a vat of hot oil.

This weekend we spent poolside. Elliot spent it right with us. In the beginning he spent his time chasing water droplets,

licking our wet heads,

guarding us when we went underwater,

and when we floated,

but the majority of the time was spent running around the pool barking and whining and wondering if he should just jump in and join the fun.

Eventually he got hot enough that taking him into the water was an option we decided for him. After that first dip he decided that inside the pool with us was better than running around the outside of the deck getting hot. He enjoyed being held in the pool

and floating freely on his own

and having a little exercise every once in awhile.

and when he was all tuckered out....

it was nice to have someone to cuddle with!