dogs learn to swim the natural way

Hot days mean early walks, in a Melbourne summer. So we were out at Warringal Park by 8 am today. (That's the crack of dawn for us!) But it was already too hot - we stick to the rule that if it's over 26 celcius, it's unhealthy for Penny to walk. So, not too reluctantly, we abandoned exercise and headed down to the bend in the Yarra that has a nice little beach now that the water level is so low (probably because of the works down at the fish weir at Dights Falls).

It was peaceful.



And then two gorgeous young labs arrived with their humans. They were having great fun just along from us, wading into the river and fetching sticks.

Was it naughty of us to be having a little smile about the fact that they wouldn't go past their knees? Labrador retrievers, we said to ourselves - dogs who were bred to go out on the boats and help the humans with the fishing?

When we got talking to the humans, we discovered it was the dogs' second ever time near water, so that cast a different light on it. They were doing very well for their second visit.

And then they spotted Penny swimming for her lovely Whirl Wheel. (I haven't met a dog who didn't love this toy.)

And so they learned to swim!

First they walked deeper.



And then they bravely took the plunge. Their first swim!



Penny wasn't too impressed, because they were determined to get the toy, there were two of them, and their swimming technique involved lots of splashing!







Once Penny got back to shore, it was time for the humans to intervene to restore peace, and the newly-qualified swimmers headed for home, no doubt proud of themselves for this great step in their lives.

And Penny continued her swim.