Monday, August 10, 2009

It's Duncan's Turn for Swimming Lessons

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about Sheldon's Swimming lessons. It's been hot as blazes here in Palm Springs, so a mid-day dip in the pool is just the trick to keep cool. After watching his big brother Sheldon demonstrate his keen water skills, our Young Duncan took his first real swim lesson this past weekend. Duncan has been interested in the pool from the moment he first saw it. Once I had cooled off and done my laps, Duncan approached the edge, signalling his interest to splash around. Understandably, taking the first step was the most difficult. John held him on the top step, handing Duncan to me as we waded further out into the pool. I held Duncan as he looked around, trying to take it all in.

above: after a bit of coaching and kisses on the forehead, I gradually let go of Duncan, allowing him to swim on his own...

above: For 11 weeks old, Duncan was a little champ in the pool! His little webbed toes paddled gracefully, making his way around the shallow end of the pool. It was a brief swim lesson, maybe 10 minutes or so, but just enough to give him confidence and knowledge on how to make his way out of the pool on his own , if necessary.

above: Duncan dripping wet after swimming in the pool. He spent the next half hour drying off outside on the patio with me.

above: With our desert climate being hot and dry, Duncan dried off in no time at all. We sat together on the glider chair, enjoying the indirect sun under the patio shade structure. Duncan was a happy little puppy, and ready for a treat.
-Rick Rockhill

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

YAY for Duncan!!!!!!

My mom had the lifeguards throw me into the pool to teach me to swim...

He's a lucky little guy!

Jeni said...

Now, how cool is that? Very cool, on a couple different levels for Duncan. And just look at how nicely the fur dries and curls perfectly after a good swim too. Lucky, lucky little guy he is!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

smart little guy! and that sure looks like fun!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

A Lewis said...

Oh my gosh, I have tears in my eyes at that little cutie pie swimming by himself...for the first time! That's really really cool. I should bring Mason down for a swimming party.

Rhodester said...

I still can't believe you've never invited ME over for a dip. You'd be writing in your blog, "For 50 years old, Rhodester was a little champ in the pool! His little webbed toes paddled gracefully, making his way around the shallow end of the pool."

It'd be fun, and I'd try not to pee.

Rick Rockhill said...

Rhodester- It's actually filled with Holy Water, are you sure you wouldn't burn from exposure to it?

kenju said...

GO Duncan!!

KathyA said...

He did so well!!!

Elizabeth Bradley said...

I have a 12 year old cairn terrier named Duncan. He loves to swim. I hear that standard poodles are REALLY smart dogs, he's a cutie.

Cheryl said...

That's a sight I'd love to see. Why I didn't spend time in the pool today, I don't know. A 10 minute dip would have been great. Just like Duncan's.

Desert Songbird said...

Good job on puppy's part. You look like the doting dad!

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Duncan is adorable! Looks like he enjoys the water. Wish my hair would dry as nicely as his fur does.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

How wonderful that Duncan took to the water so beautifully...A little swim can be so cooling in that kind of heat! I love how skinny Animals look when all wet...lol! He sure is a Beauty!

Maggie Moo said...

It must make you feel better knowing that he's a natural just in case he falls in. I tried to get my sisters dog in the pool this weekend but she was having none of it-the dog, not my sister.

lime said...

looks like everyone had a fun time.

WAT said...

HAHA, that's too cute, little Duncan swimming and all. Looking good there in that pool there mister. Ahem.

grace said...

aww, such a sweetie. I love the shot of just himself. Looking so confident....

Kanani said...

Ah, I missed this! Cute little guy!! Oh, I've got more animal photos on my MilBlog this week. And guess what? My husband operated on a dog in Afghanistan!

Kanani said...

Ah, I missed this! Cute little guy!! Oh, I've got more animal photos on my MilBlog this week. And guess what? My husband operated on a dog in Afghanistan!

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