It was almost as though the water took the weight of the world off my eight year old Kali. Well, I guess in some ways it did because when you’re paddling and floating the water is absorbing much of your weight instead of your joints and bones.
And so it was for Kali this afternoon at the lake.
With summer winding down we wanted to get the girls back up to the lake for another romp in the water while the weather was still reasonably warm. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind the cold freezing snow melt later this year but Holly and I would! Kloe loves the water and we knew that she would have no problem getting in the deep stuff so we were prepared this time with the long 30 foot leash. We’re not yet comfortable letting either of the dogs, especially our little dare devil Kloe, into the Lake without a “safety net”.
Kloe had a blast, as expected, swimming out to retrieve the sticks we threw in the water. This was the first time she really had an opportunity to outright swim without her legs touching the bottom of the lake and it was fun to see her eyes when she realized she was floating and then started paddling. She did get a little more reserved the deeper out she got. This actually made me feel relieved because one, she knows her limits to a degree, and two, I wouldn’t have to reel her in like a Marlin. On the other hand if squirrels could swim and happened to be in the lake all bets would be off and I’m pretty sure Kloe would hyperplane towards the dastardly swimming vermin.
But Kali was really the surprise star of the afternoon.
Kali had been hanging around in the shallow water as Kloe swam out to retrieve sticks. We gave Kloe a break and put the long leash on Kali just for grins. Before we knew it she was romping and stomping in the water. I threw a stick as a joke but the joke was on me. Kali dove into the water, swam out to the stick, grabbed it, and brought it back and dropped it. I threw it again and she repeated the exercise.
So shame on me for underestimating my (aging) Golden Kali who seemed years younger as soon as her fur hit the water and her feet began to paddle. Most days with Kali are a joy but today will stand out for many months to come.
She won’t get a lot of points for style or grace but I give her a 10.0 for effort and heart. Good girl old lady!
Golden Kali 
Oh my gosh, that is just too cool for school! Bravo, sweet Kali! Glad you were able to enjoy a little cooling off H2O time. Now maybe you could put a good word in for Sam so he doesn’t sit on the beach and watch as others enjoy the water. 😇
Send Sam out for a visit and we’ll take him and Kali on a date to the lake. After all he’s a lady’s “man” and Kali can be quite persuasive when it comes to matters of the heart. 😉
I’ll suggest it to him. So far no gorgeous girl has wooed him enough to get into the water. He doesn’t think there are enough treats to get in either and only reluctantly succumbs to required baths for his hospital work. 😆 You’d think he was being abused by the look on his face.
Good for Kali! I bet the water helped her move more freely than she can on land. But most important of all, never underestimate what an old dog can do!
You’re right about that Ann. Kali would sprout wings and fly if she thought it would make me happy. She is one sweet girl!