I’m having a tough time getting caught up and back into the swing of things since our staycation. The truth is, since I’m going away to Maine for a couple of nights with the girls in about a week, I don’t really see much point in getting back to routines just to have them disrupted again. So for now, I’ll just keep plugging along and doing my best.
One of the things I felt worst about after staycation was not getting Sheba out swimming that week. Between her not feeling well early in the week, some crazy weather (we had one day that didn’t even reach 70 degrees!), and all of the commotion it just didn’t happen. So I made it a priority this week to take her.
It’s been a hot week so the new swimming spot we had found was occupied by some kids. Sheba would love to see those kids, and I toyed with the thought of asking their parents if they minded if she swam there. Then I got visions in my head of Sheba being SO excited about swimming with kids, that she might dunk them! I will never forget the time our Lab mix Maggie tried to drown me. We were at our campground and I jumped into one of the wonderful swimming holes in the river there, and Maggie was so excited she started paddling towards me and then on top of me! Luckily I think hubby heard me yelling and was able to get her to come away from me. So I thought better of letting Sheba swim near any kids. 🙂
There is a brook coming out of the dam where we parked for the beach and that was an option I had planned to explore if we got there and the beach was occupied. There were just a few issues with it, but it ended up being fine.
- It was shallow and rocky in many places. Sheba was slipping on some of the rocks a little. I started throwing the ball into different parts of the river to find a deeper spot where she could really swim, which we did.
- I had to get my feet wet in order to get to that spot! I was prepared with my water shoes though.
My legs aren’t quite long enough to jump over this little area! - Sheba was a little timid of the water fall here, but that wasn’t one of the deeper spots anyway.
- There were too many places along the bank Sheba could have decided to wander off to! Luckily she only tried that a couple of times, and did come back to me when I called her (several times).
The water fall. You can see all the rocks in there where it’s shallow. - We couldn’t use the Wet Wubba* to play because I was afraid she might get distracted and let it float down the river (we’ve lost toys that way in the past). Luckily I also had one of our old West Paw balls* that we could afford to lose (but we didn’t).
- I was just a little concerned that the water wasn’t flowing as much in places, which can mean it’s not as clean; although it certainly looked it. Luckily Sheba never drinks the water anyway.
It was a nice spot to cool off, and a decent alternative to the beach when we can’t go there. I still have more of the pond (lake) to explore but it’s a long drive down the pond and I didn’t want to take the time on this day, since we were expecting a delivery of lumber at the house and I didn’t want Luke to be alone and nervous when the big truck pulled in.
We were still able to walk up along the dam to drip off afterwards, and there is a path to the road near the beach, so we could walk a small loop along the road and back to the parking lot and stretch our legs a little. It was too hot for a long walk anyway, and our dampness plus a bit of a breeze kept us comfortable for the short one.
Of course, Sheba had a great time – our golden retriever girl loves swimming – and that was the most important thing!
Has your dog been swimming this summer? Do you have nice spots to take them?
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Even with the shallow water and slippery rocks, Sheba looks like she had a blast that day.
She sure did; none of those issues phased her in the least!
Nope, I keep trying to talk the Hubs into a pool, but with no success. I worry too much about the fisherman and their hooks for any of the places around us. There is one spot but the ground is covered in goose poop which means no swimming but lots of eating.
Glad you have found a nice alternative for cooling off.
I could never get anywhere with my hubby trying to get a pool either! We do still plan to put a pond in next year hopefully though, and having our own place to go will be ideal.
A beautiful place you found, love the waterfall. My gang has been swimming a lot, we haven’t made it to the lilly pad area yet this year.
I think we need some rain though, I’m afraid the waterfall won’t be flowing at all pretty soon if we don’t get a good amount of it.
Lucky Sheba. That looks like a nice swimming spot.
Callie used to love the stream at the park, but after it dried up one summer, we never went back. Funny though that she didn’t care for the kiddie pool very much.
It always seems strange to me that neither Sheba nor Luke will lie down in the pool, they will only stand in it. Cricket will lie down in it, but she doesn’t care to go actual swimming! Dogs can be funny sometimes, can’t they? 🙂
Sheba looks like she was having a great time!
It looks like Sheba had a great time! Ash likes to swim in our pool so I don’t have to look for a place to take her!
It’s so nice not to have to leave home to swim! We had the kiddie pool for them to cool off in, but it’s not the same as a good swim. We hope to put a swimming pond in next year.
That looks like a wonderful place for Sheba to cool her belly! The boys have never been near the water : (
Oh, they’re missing out! Cricket wouldn’t agree though, she doesn’t care much for swimming. She loves to cool off in the pool or shallow water but she doesn’t like actually swimming.
Oh, if I was a swimmer I would say that water looks delicious! I bet it was cool and refreshing.
Goodness what a pretty place! You are so lucky especially the part about less than 70 degrees. Jealous! Love Dolly PeeS: We still have to read about the Staycation.
I wasn’t very happy that day though – I prefer it to be at least 75 degrees! 🙂
What a lovely spot for swimming. We have gone in our friends’ pool but it is far from lovely.
It’s nice to be able to cool off though!
Such an ideal setting and I can see the happiness in Sheba! It’s so great that you’ve found such a perfect (and pretty!) place to take her for your special outings together.
We haven’t done much swimming. The smaller bodies of water don’t look real clean and Mom doesn’t want us getting sick from the water. I love to swim, but good places are hard to find.