Friday, May 27, 2016

Swim season is open

A few mile stones to mention, and swim season has begun.

 My Boy
 Darn, water in the ears!

Grace and Halo, Nash and Pearl's Granddaughters, and Willow Sunshine's daughters, take the plunge.  I have tried a different approach to teaching these pups how to swim.  Hands off.  As soon as the snow began to melt, I took the girls to places with shallow water, streams, puddles, shallow pools, and I made sure to have an adult swimmer with me - Willow Sunshine, Pearl, other friends.  When the lakes and ponds opened up, we went to places with gradual entries, again the adult swimmers came along.  It's been a joy to watch the girls gain their confidence in the water, Grace was the first to "accidentally" swim, then Halo followed.  the two learn quickly together.  When I felt  they were ready we went to the lake.  I took Willow Sunshine who swims like a fish, and fearless in water.  One pup at a time, and in they go with out hesitation.  Halo enjoys snorkeling, dipping her head in the water, pawing it, chasing waves, while Grace prefers to gulp it, and swim with her mouth open at times.

YouTube Video

 Willow Sunshine takes off.  Some how I managed to take a photo of both dog and bumper splashing at once. 

 Setting sun, dogs swim. Willow Sunshine and Halo swim off into the sunset. 

 Halo likes to paw at things under water.

How wonderful it is to have Nash back in the water. He rides a little lower, but still the thrill for him is there.  A joyous gift.

 Heart, Bell, Light, Collar - These things will remain, and I will remember.

 Nash was focused on this fisherman for a while, curious, what was he doing.  Smoking a cigar


 AHh, this water is good.

Pearl, my party girl, spent most her time socializing with other swimmers.  She required a shove to get wet, once in its electric.  Wild eye and lots of running in circles when she gets out.  Her enthusiasm contagious.  Love this girl.


Pearl swimming with Grace, twilight made focusing difficult.


Too much to have all five at once, so I took three and two.  The sun set on Pearl and Grace, so not as many photos there.


 Grace - bumper release

 Halo, taking off, love Nash in the background.

 Halo simply sat in the water. 

 Grace takes her first dive off the rock! Love this blurry photos.

 Pearl, at home, ready for bed.

 Halo didn't want to get out of the car.

 Halo, didn't want to give up the bumper.

 Willow Sunshine

 Hmmmmm,  Willow Sunshine, and Nash

Tired Halo, resting on Nash's collar.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Speical Moments in Time

 Grace, Luna, Willow Sunshine, Nash, Pearl, Halo

PLAY TIME

 Pearl

 Gabriel and Halo 5 1/2 months old



 Gabriel and Pearl 7 years old



 Luna 3 years old

 Gabriel and Nash 15 1/2 years old





 Luna and Grace 5 1/2 years old

 Gabriel and Hal

 Grace and Halo





 Pearl

  Luna


 Nash

Grace and Halo

 Luna and Willow Sunshine (sisters)