This has been, for lack of a better term, a very “interesting” summer. The spring was too wet and we survived flooding all over the state. The crops were late getting in and we had ankle high corn by the fourth of July instead of the intended knee high. Usually, these days with the hybrids, we have head high plus corn by July. Not this year.

I have been getting gobs done though, even if part of the gob is not keeping up with the blogging. Gob Blogging. Wonder if there is a market for that?

I have been taking photos almost everyday and I have a great backlog of things to use to illustrate the blog clear through to the autumn months and beyond.

For today’s subject, we took the puppies to the pond a few weeks ago, and Bella, the swim master, part otter dog, taught everyone the fine art of swimming. The “beaglador” Lab/Beagle mix was the only one who sat the first session out and refused to get her feet wet.

Bella shows her glide swim to the group.

Radar jumps right in without hesitation. A large bass would see him as bait right now.

Gracie studies carefully the form and style of the swimmers

She’s off!

“Oh, no! My butt is sinking!”

“What am I doing wrong, mom?”

“Teach me, oh Bella, wise dog of the water.”

“First you must focus outside of your fears. Find a goal. Like that stick. Become one with the water.”

“Success, grasshopper!”

A new champion swimmer