Joy on the Beach
From the time I step out of the house, Pip suggests the beach by racing toward the path, then turning to stare into my face, You coming? Huh? Huh? You coming?” When I step in that direction, she races to the top of the stairs down to the water. She spins toward me again, open mouthed and eager, "We're going, right? We're going?" And when I say "Yes" she disappears down those stairs so quickly that by the time I reach the top with my comparatively, she is already at the water's edge, willing me to join her.
As I make my way down the many steps, I laugh. I often laugh at Pip's unadulterated life glee. It can be exhausting, especially in her youth, but now after four years together, we are in synch. Maybe she has calmed a bit (or I have perked up a bit) - either way, we enjoy each other.
Finding a suitable stick, I crunch over the large round stones that make up a version of Maine beach. It's no place to go barefoot. Pip vibrates with anticipation as I approach. I’ve waited for high tide so the rough-edged barnacles are now well under water, out of reach of Pip‘s suburban-soft paw pads. All I need to do is move my hand infinitesimally and she starts bouncing in place. “Throw it, throw it, throw it NOW!” They launch together, my stick and my dog, heading out at the same instant.
There is something oddly peaceful about chunking a stick for a water-loving dog. She explodes into action with each toss, acting as if it were the first, the last and the best throw ever. Something calming about watching her bee-line out so fast that she leaves a wake behind her, and something that puts a smile on my face again when I see her turn, coming back to me.
After fifteen minutes or so, I call it quits. If she were a child, Pip would stand shivering, lips blue from cold, earnestly pleading, "But I'm not cold, why do I have to come out ?" It's a call I make for her. Our dogs are so much to us, we need to be common sense for them. I’d always rather quit too early than be too late. But not Pip, she’d rather never quit. That makes me smile, too, even as we head back toward the house.
--Sarah Wilson, MySmartPuppy.com
---------------------
Sarah Wilson is a pet behavior specialist, author, media personality, and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex. Sarah's books include, "Dogology", "My Smart Puppy", and "Good Owners, Great Dogs", all available now.
sheltercat on July 29, 2009 at 08:18 PM
Awww, I just love Pip! Adorable pix, and sounds like a great time. :-)
Salita on July 30, 2009 at 12:20 PM
wakeing up from a restless sleep and reading this blog made the day happier,
easier and filled with appreciation for good writers and dog lovers!
Bravo!
more more.
Carolyn on July 30, 2009 at 12:27 PM
When you love the beach and love dogs, this is the best possible combination!!!
rca on September 18, 2009 at 06:46 AM
UHMMM...
Its seems really a brave doggy and is somebody playing with the doggy.
Anyways it really a great memorable time.Appreciate it lot.
Thanks for the nice pix.
holidays to Egypt on October 09, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Awesome it really a great memorable time.Appreciate it lot.
Thanks for the nice pic.
Bathroom Shower Stall on February 01, 2010 at 05:49 AM
My dog loves the beach.
generic viagra on March 30, 2010 at 12:12 PM
Yaa its true, me too think that to play with pets free space is always required.To be more safe have more space.
Thanks for the interesting post.
joesen on December 12, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Pip vibrates with anticipation as I approach. I’ve waited for high tide so the rough-edged barnacles are now well under water, out of reach of Pip‘s suburban-soft paw pads. All I need to do is move my hand infinitesimally and she starts bouncing in place. “Throw it, throw it, throw it NOW!” They launch together, my stick and my dog, heading out at the same instant.
Pet Supplies Online on January 03, 2011 at 12:23 AM
I also adore his pictures. It gives the impression that he enjoyed his time a lot there. I also love to spend more time with my puppy in free space where we can do anything for recreation freely.
ghd australia02 on March 14, 2011 at 12:17 AM
The http://www.ghdbuyonline.com products are high tech gadgets, which are preferred by most of the beauty pageants, famous hair stylists and have found place in all the renowned salons. These products have enhanced safety measures as it is controlled by a mini processor. If a http://www.ghdscheaponline.com is used for 30 minutes or more, it discharges that amount of heat which is harmful for the hair. Because of these enhanced facilities, many awards have been come in the way of these http://www.ghdausretailer.com products.
thailand holidays on December 12, 2011 at 08:24 PM
My dog loves the beach as well. We love taking a jog in the shore as well as going on a little dip.