We woke on Saturday morning and I told Grace that we were going to do something very fun today. She looked at me with an expression that conveyed puzzled interest. She is learning to have confidence when I say that we will do something fun, but clearly this would be different. Grace is an only Newf in a long line of puppies who have been raised to enjoy water from an early age. When she arrived, she had a kiddie pool where she would run across the yard and launch in, making a good splash. We did some early dive training in her pool. But things went astray on water training during the next year, other than a trip to a Gulf beach, where the water was warm and the air was warmer, and the water tasted terrible. This would be her first adventure to the lake.
She had some hand-me-down water tools and toys filled with joyful memories. I brought along Parker’s favorite retrieving dummy, an item of nearly guaranteed interest. Being a growing-up now 2-year old pirate, we had to find a place to work where if she became free from the leash, we would hopefully be able to recapture the leash. We used the long rope at first, and we each had bait in our pockets that would survive interest if it got wet. I worked on the bank and Greg worked in the water. The further he went out, the more dubious she was. This is Newf-typical; it is their job to protect humans from their less-than-wise choices.
Being out of practice, I packed all but a few important things: I missed bringing the flat collar for water work, towels (had just unpacked from travel) and lawn chairs. Since she had been in heat recently, I had done a quick clean-up before leaving. Grace is one of those who have a high level of awareness of any stimulus, and when water runs down her rear leg, she will hold it up to let the water run off and shake her foot. Having used a towel afterward, how could I not remember to take one?
We had the dryer, and the van batteries would operate the dryer long enough for a quick blow-off after a swim. We had a cooler bag with cold water and an ice pack. We had treats for Newfs but nothing for humans. We leave water shoes in the van so those aren’t forgotten, but forgetting that we hadn’t used those for a few years, the soles weren’t in good shape. (added those to the list) And we didn’t take the flotation belt that we use to start some with swimming.
Grace had a blast. She clearly found the joy that a Newf should experience about being in water. She went a bit pirate on the beach in an expression of joy, but she did very well for her first retrieve exercises, and she did some of her own diving for things underwater. She didn’t want to swim out very far, but she went out progressively a little further each time. As she becomes better conditioned for swimming, her reserve should lessen. It’s tougher when you raise a puppy without an adult guide; they have to learn a lot on their own.
I had brought the dryer, and a collapsible bucket stays in the van, but I forgot to bring rinse water. (now on the list) The dryer lasted for about 15-20 mins. before the lithium batteries died, much too early. (resolving that is also on the list)
We left for Springfield to run some errands and get supplies. By the time we left, dark skies from a storm were passing. When we got back, Grace approached me in the kitchen with a deep expression of happiness and a smile that seemed to convey gratitude. Maybe I have earned more trust for the next time I say, “Let’s go do xxx.” She’s an independent thinker. She’s probably a bit more skeptical when it’s hot outside.
We played for a while and watched television. Grace and I were sharing some chips. While she was beside the bed with her head down, I dropped another that must have touched the coat on her neck as it fell. She jumped straight up on all four feet, in the Trail of Tears position, about 10-12″ at mid-air, with a split second of levitation and an expression that will be unforgettable. Who knows what offensive creature may jump off the bed onto a Newfoundland without notice!
Last night there were severe storms and the first alarm went off for a tornado warning until 11:30, later extended to 12:45. Grace was ahead of the alarms. She came to get us, we thought to go outside, but that wasn’t it. Within a couple of minutes, sirens were blaring and we were hurrying to the basement in sleepwear, taking fewer items than usual.
This morning, she found a cache of fun sticks in the yard. Humans will have some work to do, locating what has been redistributed, cleaning up and up-righting some plants that are leaning south. But it looks like this time we were fortunate. Not long ago, neighbors in Mt. Vernon and Springfield were pelted with 5 inch balls of hail. La Nina. Maybe that would be a good name for a Newf.