Who knew when we headed off for our morning walk that we would have heart-stopping drama!
Back in January 2012 (Friday 13th to be precise) Muffin took her first swimming lesson, but who would have thought it would be three whole years before she entered the water once again.
Don't get me wrong she is bathed reguarly, groomed at the salon but not the fully immersing kind of bathtime.
Well today we participated in swimming lesson number two, but there's certainly no need for a third!
Let me tell you what happened...
She was having her usual fun... sniffing, splashing and generally surveying the whole park for fellow pups and play pals. On our way back to the car she still wanted to play and meet potential pals and spotted a sheep dog playing with it's ball.
Between you and me he wasn't interested in Muffy at all
(don't tell her but he was a little ball obsessive if you ask me)
but that didn't seem to register or deter Muffy.
As I called for her to follow me to the car... her off leish walk was over... she had other ideas.
She ran full pelt down the embankment with eyes latched onto the other pup.
Over the pathway and totally deaf to my calls.
The trouble was that the other dog was on the other side of the boating lake!
To my horror she then launched herself over the concrete low wall that edged the boating lake...
are you still with me...?
...yep you guessed it.
In she went... BADOOSH!!!
Not quite a swallow dive but it certainly was impressive.
She obviously thought it was solid ground and I'm still chuckling to myself when I think about what must have gone through her mind...
"WHAT THE ......????"
As I ran to her I thought to myself she'll never come back up...
(not if our first swimming lesson was anything to go by)
So I'm thinking I'm going in... willing to sacrificing my boots for sure.
(The lake isn't very deep but quite deep enough for a mini shuh tzu)
But amazingly as I came nearer... up she popped and she began to swim like an olympian!
Her coat plus her harness wasn't going to stop her.
I watched in wonder as she about turned and headed back towards me.
Paws paddling profusely
Who would have guessed?
Who would have guessed?
After grabbing her and lifting her out looking like a soggy chamois leather, I couldn't help thinking (once I knew she was okay) that I'd have loved to have taken a little video of it all.
As you can see by her face above, she wouldn't have been impressed.
"Just get me dry and warm" ^..^
Once back home and dried off with a warm hairdryer (as you do) we couldn't let this momentus occasion go without a little pomp and ceremony, so she's been presented with her own swimming certificate!
If I'm honest she did qualify for all of the criteria... well all except the 15 metre swim, but if we consider the way out, turn around and then back towards the bank, it might well have been 15 metres.
Here's the certificate and Muffy having a much needed snoozlet, next to the fire after all that excitment.
If you haven't seen her first swimming attempt then here it is...
Note the back legs don't move!
Note the back legs don't move!
Now you can see why I was so worried when she dived in...
I definitely thought... glug glug...glug!
I hope that's given you a giggle and that your day is going swimmingly (sorry I couldn't resist)
I'm linking up with
Our World Tuesday
Wednesday Around the World
I'm linking up with
Our World Tuesday
Wednesday Around the World
Have a great week and hopefully I'll see you again soon
Oh Neesie what a wonderful post! poor Muffin-what a shock she must've got! Good on her for swimming back with her coat and harness on! something similar happened to Reuben when we lived in Ireland-we were waddling ina park but the duck pond was so stagnant with green scum that Reuben didn't realise it was water and literally walked right off the edge of the path straight into the pond!! thankfully he had his harness in so we could yank him out. He was day glo Green from all the scum & didn't smell too pleasant! muffins swimming lesson is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed writing it Nic, so I'm glad you enjoyed reading it.
DeleteI couldn't believe my eyes at her proficiency. She turned beautifully and had such faith that we would rescue her. She definitely wouldn't have been able to get out by herself... not with her little legs.
Poor Reuben, and I have to apologise because I did giggle at the tale, especially at the glo green part. Thankfully the boating lake here has been cleaned out over the last few months and had only just been filled with fresh water two days ago.
I've also been in stitches over that first swimming lesson video. I'd forgotten how funny it was.
I suppose there's a big difference between Melbourne's warm pool water (no wonder she didn't move her legs) and an Aberdeen boating lake in early spring!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great week.
Hopefully we can keep these pooches dry ^..^
Oh my, poor Muffy! I wonder if she will remember and steer well clear of that part of the park next time, lol. She certainly deserves the certificate and the spot by the fire, lol. {{Hugs}} :o) xx
ReplyDeleteI know Mo, it was incredible and even though I witnessed it, I can hardly believe it happened. She's been up to the edge and taken a peek over before, so I doubt she'll remember. Don't forget she's a little blonde at times... (I can say that cos I am too)
DeleteShe's still curled up by the fire but I'm keeping an eye on her to see if she paddles her paws dreaming about the earlier exciting escapada.
Hugs back to you
all is well that ends well!
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed Christine... thank goodness
DeleteShe's safe and sleeping soundly in her bed now ^..^
Thanks for your comment... I wish you a wonderful Wednesday
Oh so adorable! Love the little swimmer ~ great shots and great video!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonder filled week,
artmusedog and carol
I'm glad you liked the video and photos Carol,
DeleteIt seems there's never a dull moment here ^..^
I wish you a wonder filled week too
OH dear, poor Muffy! She handled it well though and certainly deserved her certificate! :)
ReplyDeleteYes Serena it was a bit of a shock to us all and the last thing we expected. The temperature of the water alone was enough to send her into shock!
DeleteI couldn't believe how well she actually swam but I don't think I'd like to enter into any swimming gala's.
Have a wonderful Wednesday and thanks for visiting my place.
You are the BEST story teller,,, and such a CUTE story to tell too! She might even think twice when called....for a while anyway. Our little pooch is the same way she get's that look that says is it worth getting into trouble and looks one way then the other and OFF she goes....but she never took a plunge like Muffin.... Thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteAww bless you DottyA, you've made my day and I'm grinning like a Cheshire Cat at your lovely comment.
DeleteI honestly don't think Muffy is capable of thinking twice... it takes all her time to think things through once :?
Loved to hear that Muffy's not alone... there's lots of other defiant little cuties out there. They certainly know their own minds don't they? ^..^
Thanks for your visit and making my day with your comment.
I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday whatever you have planned.
Enjoy!
Oh Muftypup! You are a star! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura... she's always been a diva, but I suppose being a star fits her just as well. She'd be happy with that.
DeleteIf she was a cat she'd definitely have used up one of her lives. I'm not sure what number she'd be up to by now ^..^
Have a great week and thanks for popping in to our place.
Muffty pup is a clever girl, that's her Aussie upbringing. I hope it wasn't too cold in that water. Now that she is warm and dry I can say that it was hilarious. I can just imagine the look on her face when she hit the water (he, he). Bet she won't do that again in a hurry.
ReplyDeleteLuv Von.
Oh my goodness, both scary and hilarious!
ReplyDeleteOur four-legged companions ... how they astound, amaze and surprise us ... with their skills, abilities, wisdom and love!
ReplyDeletePoor Muffy, she probabbly got scared a lot. But as I know all dogs can swim and ahvn't need of lessons.
ReplyDeleteSpring cleaning Chelsea
I had to catch up here!! Wow poor mommy you must have been frazzled as you saw your baby plunge off the edge...wow Muffy seems really annoyed in that photo..lol as though it was your fault she jumped in...Don't you just love them... so cute but sometimes oh so naughty... I can hear your heart beating now...I remember those times so well.... I hate it when kids or dogs are mother deaf!! Thank goodness they are so darn adorable!!
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
Cute video. My dogs hate water!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Kay