Paddling

In my constant effort of ‘doing new things with the dog to make him a go anywhere – do anything dog’ and my b/f obsession with kayaking, I took Tommy down to the paddling pool between Chalkwell and Leigh stations, along the cinder path to practice his swimming. It had been hot all day and the water was very warm. Luckily there was no one else around so I got the tennis ball out and threw it a few times on the sand to get Tommy’s interest (like the thought of the tennis ball isn’t enough!). I then paddled out to half calf height and he followed me (who am I trying to kid, he was after the ball). Then a bit further, and a bit further, and deeper still until he was swimming. I gave him a break often for a charge around chasing the ball so he didn’t get bored. He did obviously find some food on the beach – a scotch egg – so every time he chased the ball he ended up in the same spot eating the Scotch egg! Eventually I had him jumping into the water and swimming to get his ball. It was great fun and am looking forward to bringing a picnic down there one evening with b/f so we can all play – what a break from the working week that would be!