September 2, 2010

"AirWyeth"

I can't recall why I thought Wyeth would enjoy jumping into water,

I just did for some reason ...

I am fortunate to live right on Lake Champlain in Grand Isle, Vermont.

Literally, we look at the broad lake - as it is called by Vermonters - from our front window.    The water beckons us every day.

It was during the period of time between the end of spring and the start of summer's warmth that I began to get itchy about what activity to share with my dog over the next few months to come.   I knew that I could plant birds for her on my friend Leslie's 400 acres but I also knew that Jan was adamant about not "working" in the very hot weather.    Not good for the dog. 

So, I nudged my friends, Dave and Colleen, about their dock.  Were they putting it in the water this year?  "Of course", they assured me.  Come to find out they had sad "yes" not for themselves (as I suspected) but for Wyeth's and my pleasure.    I waited patiently over the next couple of weeks.

I'll never forget the afternoon Wyeth and I drove home to shower and change before dinner service.  There it was - 50 plus feet of aluminum jutting out into the water, shining and sparkling from the sun's rays, waves lapping against it's metal structure.  It was if it was almost human.  Beckoning us to come play with it and share in its own love of the water.  We sat in the truck.  I swear Wyeth was eyeing it, as well ... as if she knew that she had just met a new friend, Mr. Dock.   We were on a tight time schedule but I promised we'd be back in the morning to try him out.

16 hours later.

We walk down to the dock.  I have Wyeth's favorite retrieving aid - her bumper - in hand.  We were both on a mission.  I step onto the dock and proceed down it's narrow path, my little dog following close behind.  We get to the end.   Without hesitation (I didn't want her to think too much), I tossed the bumper out about 10 feet.  With a quick wag of the tail, in she jumped.

And, the rest is history.   My next t-shirt:  "Born to Jump!" 

That's my girl ...

- Mandy

P.S.  I have to give Phoebe credit for helping me with Wyeth's jumping practice.  Phoebe was instrumental in training her to "stay" on the dock while we set up for the all-important throw of the bumper.   Please click here to see Phoebe and Wyeth's video!

If you want to see more photos of Wyeth's Dock Dog experience, click here.

Oh, and if you want to know how I'm doing throwing the bumper for her, check out my newest blog:  "Wyeth has Patience".   (My real name, by the way.)