Water Ways

Shadow has been gradually introduced to water. We have one beach in Hernando County, Florida. It is called Pine Island; it is nothing like the beaches in California where there were ferocious waves and currents. No, Pine Island is rather docile.

On the first Saturday of the month, Pine Island changes its name to "BARK ISLAND" and for five American dollars, my dog may romp in the sand and water for two hours, from eight AM until ten AM. This process only is allowed from September to April. This year, 2009 in October, Bark Island will be the first and third Saturdays, again from eight to ten.

Last September, I introduced Shadow to the Ocean (well, to the Gulf of Mexico) and the first thing he did was take a drink. The water is slightly brackish as an underground spring flows into many rivers and subsequently into the gulf. So the water isn't full on salty or completely fresh. I watched to see if Shadow would follow the other dogs into deeper water and swim. Nope he went in about three inches deep. Didn't seem to care one way or the other. He was only five months old at the time and everything was new to him. Month by month, I'd take him to Bark Island but he didn't turn aquatic.

He loved the freedom on the beach. He and all the other dogs could run free of leashes for two hours. I'd watch as he'd gallop up and down the beach and meet and greet all the other pooches. He liked the time we spent.

Recently I decided it was time to begin formal water training. I took Shadow to Jeanie's pool a few minutes from the house. He wore a harness but no floatation.
Florida is very warm, but I wore a wetsuit to keep his claws from scratching me. Although I was very hot, all I'd have to do was dunk under the water and cool off.
Our first water trial was photographed and videoed. I was trying out a new underwater camera the size of a cell phone (in a plexiglass housing). The results were interesting. I'll post both the pictures and the videos from time to time.