Dog Days at the Beach IV
Here's Buddy at one of the few dog beaches available in our county. Having a good ol' time!
He really liked hanging out with this girl and her sister. Every time they threw something in the water, he'd come running to investigate:
Look at that face. He's a little worried there, his eyes are now almost completely clouded over from diabetes induced cataracts.
Every so often, I'd get on my knees close to the water line to snap a photo, and he'd come running up and barrel right into me. At this beach, he constantly ran into people and their chairs and beach stuff. Everyone was a good sport about it, thank God. It's a dog beach, after all. Most dog owners are the best kind of folk you'll ever meet! They all seemed to join us in warning him when he got too close.
Body language: check out the tail held high, the stiff back, ears forward, ready to plunge at moments notice. The other dog looks gentle and submissive. Buddy tends to do this to other dogs that are his size or larger.
He doesn't know what to make of little dogs because they can run around faster than he can. He can't puff out his chest at them. My mom's dog, a shi-tzu mix, likes to bite him on the legs and knock him to the ground. The only way he can control my mom's dog is to try to sit on him.
When he was a mere toddler doggy, he sized up a pit bull in the same way as shown here. I thought my heart was gonna leap right out of my throat. The pit was so well behaved, he just stood there, looking right at his owner, while Bozo puffed his chest out and ran in circles with me in tow.
The owner was very patient until I tackled young brawn- for -brains and hauled him back into the house. It has been nine years since that day and we still see the old pit bull and his owner on our walks. Buddy still tries to do the same thing every time we see them. But now the guy laughs and we always say howdy.
That is why I believe no matter how you raise them, you better keep an eye on their genes.
Now I digress! Back to the water! Tennis Balls! Fun!
Seriously, don't drink the water, Bucko.
This is why giant beach towels are a staple around here. Baths, too.
My favorite picture is the last; love it! Bud looks totally contented with his day. :D
Posted by: pam | June 12, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Wonderful photos of Buddy. He's such a beauty, Laura.
Posted by: Dani | June 12, 2008 at 12:22 PM
aww buddy looks like he's having a ball. lol. these are really good pictures too.
Posted by: sam | June 12, 2008 at 02:35 PM
he is a great dog. was such an adorable puppy... like a little ball of white fur. Hey.Brodee is a Lhasa Apso,not a shi-tzu mix. He adores Buddy.
Posted by: mom | June 12, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Bahaha. Thats so funny. Dumb dog. :P
I love the first and last picture.
Its so pretty. :]
Posted by: Brittany | June 12, 2008 at 03:02 PM
It's so nice he gets to play that way.
Posted by: kenju | June 12, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Buddy is having the time of his life. With the spring(summer)heat everyone is in need of a quick dip in the water.
Posted by: me & my puppies | June 12, 2008 at 06:22 PM
He's still a beauty. Dog beach, what a great idea.
Good thing Buddy's not a surfer, the water looks pretty flat.
Posted by: FC | June 12, 2008 at 09:23 PM
I should have clarified... this "beach" is on the Intracoastal Waterway, not far from the Gulf. It's one of 4 "dog beaches" that I know of locally and all but one are on the Intracoastal.
The only place I know of that allows dogs on the Gulf side is Ft. DeSoto in St. Petersburg, about an hour's drive from here, give or take the traffic.
I rarely go over there, it's just too far.
Btw, in most of the cities around here, you can be fined for bringing your dog to the beach because of hygiene reasons, etc. (worms and sand don't mix!). They're liable to tear up sea turtle or bird nests and so on.
Additionally there are a few islands locally that are accessible by boat, that allow dogs under certain circumstances.
And thanks, y'all. It was a nice evening out there.
Posted by: Laura again | June 12, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Such a lovely dog and he seems to be enjoying himself a great deal. We too are living with a mostly blind dog, who is also essentially deaf. It is hard, but worth it. And he is still having fun too.
Posted by: threecollie | June 13, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Great pics! I like the idea of a dog beach. We have to travel pretty far for our guys to be able to go swimming. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Value For Your Life | June 17, 2008 at 02:56 PM
He looks so so so happy :-) Love that last shot!
Posted by: Janet | June 17, 2008 at 04:18 PM