A blog post by Clutch, the (not) swimming Yorkie
My younger brother pup—Beauregard, the giant doodle—is so excited. It’s May, which means his swimming pool is open! He’s already been in once, and he can’t wait to enjoy the summer swimming season.
Beauregard is the pup I used to live with, till he got so big I decided the space was too small for both of us. Between his giant physique and the size of my ego, there was almost no room left in the house. Now I live down the street in my own spacious loft, but I still visit him.
Beauregard loves his swimming pool. He was a fan of that pool from the time he was a puppy. When he was two months old, he fell into the pool. Twice. On accident. (Yeah, right.) The humans and we pups were walking by the pool, and we heard a big splash. There was baby Beauregard in the deep water. While the humans scrambled to rescue him, Beauregard calmly paddled to the steps. It was love at first float.
All you have to say is, “Swim?” He heads right for the pool. When he was younger, he would jump from the steps to fetch any stick tossed into the water. Again and again, he would jump in. Get out. Shake. Jump back in.
Now that he is four years old, he takes things at a more leisurely pace. He will pad down the steps, slowly swim a lap—as if he’s touring the pool—then climb out and shake. He’ll take a break before his next swim. Even though he’s not as rambunctious as he used to be, I can tell he still loves the pool.
I, on the other hand, do not love the pool. I’m not a fan of being drenched in water, followed by dragging around wet hair. It’s just not comfortable. I don’t see what all the excitement is about.
Just beyond the swimming pool is a creek. In the summer, I like to stand in that creek to cool off. The water comes up to my belly, my feet get wet, and that cools me.
But to be soaked with water in the swimming pool? How is that different from taking a bath? I hate baths. And then I have to swim to get out of that giant tub? I prefer not.
Miss Janet loves the pool. I think she is part fish. She used to carry me into the water, as she thought I would enjoy it with her. Ha!
She would hold me to where I was half in, half out. I gritted my teeth and tolerated it. As I sat in her arms, I moved my paws in a slow, paddling motion by instinct. She found that fascinating.
Then, she would let me loose so I could swim to the steps. Why do humans think all dogs love to swim? We do not! I couldn’t wait to reach those steps. All that effort. So frustrating. What’s the point in cooling off if you have to exercise while doing so?
When I got out of the pool, I shook as hard as I could to get that blasted water off me. Then I ran around the yard, rolling in the grass to dry my hair. Ugh. Now I was not only covered with water but dirt also.
One summer, Miss Janet made a raft for me out of a noodle floatie looped around inside a T-shirt. That was actually kind of nice. I got to stay mostly above the water while she pulled me around in the shallow part of the pool. I got just enough water on me to cool off without being soaked through. It was nice to feel the breeze in my hair, as I glided around on my makeshift boat.
Miss Janet loves swimming so much, and she wants me to enjoy it with her. I’m glad she created that float. She was happy. I was not completely miserable. I would let her do that again, as long as she doesn’t overdo it.
All things considered, I’d rather leave the pool to Beauregard and Miss Janet: “the kids.” Mind you, I want to be included in the summer fun. I want to be near them, near the water, but just not in it. I’m perfectly content to sit in the shade with my water dish, watch them swim, and enjoy my summer like a civilized Yorkie.
As the weather gets warmer, I hope you and your pup will enjoy your leisurely swim or your relaxing shade.
Stay cool,
Clutch
The Inquisitive Yorkie 