We were at the Richland Creek Greenway again today continuing Moses' swimming lessons (we started on Christmas Day and had another session at the greenway with Em). It didn't go well. Moses was stranded in three feet of water, unable to get up on the algae covered drain pipe that runs parallel to the shore. We thought he would finally figure out how to swim out but in the end JMB had to go in after him, fearing that Moses would get hypothermia. I even threw the treat baggie in hoping he would swim after it but to no avail. Fortunately the temperatures are holding in the sixties so we were able to continue down the trail for a nice walk. Pole cats out (the downside of it being so warm)!! We took the long leash so that Moses could get as many smells in as possible.
We encountered many other canines and a spunky little boy on a Razor Scooter who had skinned his knee, having fallen several times on the wet boards of the trail bridges. He showed us a wicked raspberry on his knee and commiserated with us about getting cold and wet in the creek while he waited for his parents to catch up with him. When we were leaving the trail, a fabulous harlequin great dane puppy, about five months old arrived. What a thrill for Moses! Turns out the puppy had been discovered abandoned at one of the city dog parks a few days ago and was adopted by the lady walking him. She hasn't even had him to the vet yet, doing that tomorrow! I had not thought of it but some pets are probably the first line of victims of a bad economy.
Thanks to Rex Hammock for his fabulous Flickr photo set of the Greenway and to JMB for Moses photo.
1.04.2009
cold water and a warm heart
We were at the Richland Creek Greenway again today continuing Moses' swimming lessons (we started on Christmas Day and had another session at the greenway with Em). It didn't go well. Moses was stranded in three feet of water, unable to get up on the algae covered drain pipe that runs parallel to the shore. We thought he would finally figure out how to swim out but in the end JMB had to go in after him, fearing that Moses would get hypothermia. I even threw the treat baggie in hoping he would swim after it but to no avail. Fortunately the temperatures are holding in the sixties so we were able to continue down the trail for a nice walk. Pole cats out (the downside of it being so warm)!! We took the long leash so that Moses could get as many smells in as possible.
We encountered many other canines and a spunky little boy on a Razor Scooter who had skinned his knee, having fallen several times on the wet boards of the trail bridges. He showed us a wicked raspberry on his knee and commiserated with us about getting cold and wet in the creek while he waited for his parents to catch up with him. When we were leaving the trail, a fabulous harlequin great dane puppy, about five months old arrived. What a thrill for Moses! Turns out the puppy had been discovered abandoned at one of the city dog parks a few days ago and was adopted by the lady walking him. She hasn't even had him to the vet yet, doing that tomorrow! I had not thought of it but some pets are probably the first line of victims of a bad economy.
Thanks to Rex Hammock for his fabulous Flickr photo set of the Greenway and to JMB for Moses photo.
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2 comments:
I thought swimming came naturally to dogs!
gosh, I wish that were true!
I imagine that if you threw most dogs in, they might be able to get to shore, but some breeds don't want to be in the water, some don't retrieve, and some cannot be in water.
We are trying to make the water an enjoyable experience for our dog, and part of the play experience. We want him to retrieve and get exercise in the water.
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