Ashby's First Swim

Since the day we brought Ashby home, we've been wondering how she would react to water. All dogs can swim, right? And with her being part retriever, we figure she'll love the water.

Well, we headed to the lake last weekend to spend some time with family and let Ashby take her first dip... EVER.
I hate that we don't have more picture of the "after" part of this, but let's just say, our sweet puppy needs a few swimming lessons.

Ashby loves to fetch, and will run after whatever object you throw as many times as you'll let her. When you add water to the equation, however, she'll go about as far as she can touch and then she just turns and looks at you like you're crazy. So, Dave got IN the water with her, and tried to show her she would be ok. Her outlook on the situation, though, was a little different. Poor thing couldn't figure out how to get her rope without losing her whole head under the water, which then resulted in her panicking and fiercely paddling - with her front two feet only - until she could touch again :( It was both the funniest and saddest thing I had seen all day. I wanted so badly for her to be this super dog that would just jump off the pier into the water for her rope and bring it back to us... But she's not.

Maybe it'll come with time... Maybe it won't. Either way, she's ours and perfect nonetheless. We'll just have to swim WITH her until she figures it out. Fun, right?