Bodhi starts to appreciate water

[Marcha]

Bodhi didn't like the water last summer; didn't matter whether it was from the hose, from a lake, the beach or a wet cloth. Since she's got webbed feet and we have water everywhere, we were sure she'd come around. After all, last summer she was only a few months old, and even into autumn, just 4 or 5 months. She'll be 11 months old in a week.

The water is still cold, and it's tidal (in an inlet from the Pacific) but we still go to the beach several times a week. Yesterday the sun was shining, and we went out to a local beach where the kids had an ice cream cone, I had a mug of tea, and lo and behold - Bodhi *almost* had a swim!



She suddenly realized she was quite far in, froze, turned around and bound out of the water. Had a good shake, and thoroughly enjoyed her impromptu water/ swim praise party, celebrated with love and freeze-dried liver treats. Hm, this water business wasn't perhaps as bad as she thought, and off she went again:



It was only 12C yesterday, and we're kind of hoping that with the temperatures rising, and her confidence in water increasing, she'll be an avid swimmer before long.

[hazelrunpack]

I think she's just made a great start, Marcha! The Pack is appalled, however, that any dog should even think about setting foot (much less shoulder!) in water! Especially cold water! Cole is all just thinking about it! (woossy setters )

Bodhi, you go girl!!! She'll be swimmin' with the best of them by the time May rolls around, Marcha!

[Marcha]

We're big on water here, so yeah, we hope it'll be sooner rather than later.

I'm sorry your troupe doesn't like water.

[hazelrunpack]

Very few setters like water. They'll melt, don't ya know I think it's the flowing hair--they get waterlogged.

Something tells me that Bodhi is going become a water dog, though Does she have any canine friends that like to swim?

[luckypenny]

Penny's cheering Bodhi-girl on . Does Bodhi have any favorite toys that float, Marcha? That, and doggy swimming pals might help to continue encouraging her.

[Marcha]

We didn't have any with us because we didn't expect her to go in. But we'll be bringing them along next time, in addition to some smoked salmon (her ultimate favourite treats). With the weather getting better, there'll be more dogs at the water from hereon too, so there'll be additional motivation for her to get in and get wet!

Silly, isn't it, how excited WE can get over some doggy-milestone? We're just so happy with Bo.

[growler~GateKeeper]

WTG Bodhi