We always thought we'd get a dog once we were done having kids and I longed for a little one in the house again. It was either going to be a malamute or a husky with blue eyes and we were going to name it Fenway. I now realize how naïve a sentiment that was. In human terms, having a husky or malamute is like the couple that really hopes they have twins right off the bat- it would be so fun, right? They are an incredible amount of work because they really need to run. Also, I knew for sure I was allergic to cats but it wasn't until we delved into Ireland's allergy issues that I realized like she, I'm allergic to dogs to. And not just the dander, no. We are allergic to their saliva (I get itchy welts when a dog licks me) and their urine. So hypoallergenic means nothing. Thus ended the dream of owning a dog and we were actually okay with that.
Enter Gita who adores dogs and specifically, Dakota. Imagine her elation when Whitney and Dakota stayed with us for three weeks while Whitney underwent procedures nearby. She wasn't feeling well enough to walk her so I took that on as best I could. We found our groove though and I discovered Dakota liked to walk by the lake.
At first she would just stare at it. I was not aware of this, but retrievers are actually water dogs so this was up her alley.
Eventually, I let her take a little dip. It was hot, after all, and she seemed to cool right down after a good soak.
This turned into some diving. I have to admit, I was kind of fascinated to see her shoulders move as she glided through the water. No messy dog paddle for her, she really is a water dog!
Gita was happy to wade in and meet her and honestly I can't tell who is happier in this moment.
After showing Whitney the above video, she told me it would be ok to take Dakota off the lead and so the next time we went for a walk, I just let her go. Not only did she go deep into the lake, she caught sight of a fisherman who had caught something and man, I had no idea she could swim so fast. I nearly hyperventilated while screaming for her to come back because I was worried she'd not only get the fish on the end of the line, but the hook that came with it too. Luckily, the fisherman was also a dog owner and he was so kind as I fished Dakota out of the water and put her firmly back on the lead.
I'd always let Dakota get wet first and then take the bulk of our walk so she could dry out a bit. Golfers commented on how she had clearly gone swimming though.
Gita also didn't mind running with her which Dakota was excited about at first and then she'd look at me like, "What's the point of this?"
Whitney got our fountain up and running and pretty soon the mucky water you see in this picture became a pretty blue. We'd get back from our walk and Dakota would immediately go lay down in the fountain. She loved it.
We had fun pampering Dakota as well. We stopped by Starbucks for a "puppuccino".
I found a local groomer who was a really cool guy. He told me his mother died and opening this place was what he decided to do with the money he inherited.
She looked sooo pretty all trimmed up! Of course.
So for a few weeks we got to have a dog and that was pretty sweet.
No comments:
Post a Comment