We had a great day at my aunt and uncle's camp on July 4th. The star of the show was their golden retriever, Smoke. He's named after Nascar driver Tony Stewart, whose nickname is Smoke. If by some bizarre happenstance you meet my aunt, never, ever mention the name Jeff Gordon or you will get the stink-eye. Anyway, Smoke had surgery on his hip last year, and at 110 pounds, it's painful for him to exercise. So my uncle bought him a life vest since water is buoyant and easier on his joints. This was Smoke's first day to try out the new gear. He wasn't too sure at first, but he eventually caught on and liked it.
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| Oh, I'm not sure about this!! |
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| Oh, wait...I can have a drink while I'm here. |
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| Dad, are you sure about this? |
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| My uncle tossed a rubber chicken into the water several times to get him going. |
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| Rubber chicken! Must retrieve!! |
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| Got it! |
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| Neighbor Maggie looks on with excitement. |
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| The handle was used to help Smoke out of the water. |
More to come about our July 4th adventures. Stay tuned!
43 comments:
OK, no Deep Purple, just smoke on / in the water!
Nice photo series and story behind, Gail!
Have a great day,
Uwe.
Oh Gail your Dad is brilliant what a perfect idea. Hug B
It's a beautiful dog, and the exercise in water is a brill idea.
Love these photos of Smoke! Well, Golden Retrievers are very special dogs.
I laughed when I read the part about Jeff Gordon and "stink eye." My brother-in-law would give you the stink eye too. :)
:) Great action captures!
Smoke is a handsome fella. I'm glad he is able to have fun in the water with his new life vest. Hubs is a huge fan of Smoke, but Jimmie Johnson is his fave. I always root for Rowdy Bush because Hubs hates him. Makes for a more interesting race.
So sweet, and what a great idea! Smoke is a handsome guy.
Guess I won't mention Dario Franchitti...
He is sure beautiful! And...he looks very happy now, moving freely and safely.
Geweldig mooie foto,s heb je hier van gemaakt.
Looks like "Smoke" did very well on his first day of exercise...with his new vest. Such a beautiful dog and a well loved one at that. Anxiously waiting to hear about the rest of your 4th celebration. I know the photos will be Fabulous!!
Have a Blessed day..
he's just beautiful! now i'm gonna have that song running thru my brain... :)
Smoke is a wonderful dog.
What a great idea to swim him so.
Awwww...nice to see Smoke getting some aquatic exercise!
What a great idea and what a cutie pie!
Go Smoke Go! He reminds me of my sweet Nelly, who never had a rubber chicken.
awwwww
I love the 'got it' photo :)
Look at his sweet face. I just love him! I used to have a golden retriever named Monty. He was the most fantastic dog. He used to walk up and down our country road during the day, picking up trash, and bringing it home. Our yard often looked like the dump from all the trash he 'retrieved'. Sadly, he got an aggressive cancer in his spleen when he was just 7. We did surgery and tried to save him, but he didn't make it. I will always miss him.
What a sweetie!! How I love old dogs!! I've gotta 4-legged and a 2-legged one :-}}}. In fact, BOTH are stretched out snoring and it's only 2:30!! In the middle of the day!!!
GO Smoke!!
great captures....still singing!! will probably be singing that when i am trying to fall asleep tonight. many thanks ;)
He is so very much loved, the vest is a wonderful idea for him to get his much needed exercise. I love these photos of Smoke Gail, that third one especially makes me smile. Beautiful shots and a beautiful dog.
Oh, I love this. My hip hurts too. Do you think chasing a rubber chicken would help? Lovely Dog.
Aww- what a sweetie, and what a great idea for exercise without pain!
aww, cute doggies. what fun!! ( :
Gail, I just love Smoke, he is a beauty! A great idea to help Smoke get exercise and have fun! Love the photos.
What a great idea for Smoke! Love the photos!
I know what you mean about liking zoos less and less. I just can't figure out what the alternative would be unfortunately.
they so love the water don't they and it did make me smile to see the rubber-chicken too! Glad the vest worked out fine in the end...
Such a wonderful invention to help poor animals like Smoke. I'm glad he got the hang of it; surely that's going to help him a lot.
Looking forward to more of the 4th. :)
What a clever and kind thing to devise for Smoke, and the water is buoyant so it will be easy on his hip.
I love your title!! He's beautiful and so is Maggie. Maybe I should get Max one of those vests. He loves swimming, but I'm starting to wonder if one of these days I'm going to have to go in after him, if his legs give out.
the things people do for their dogs! What a great idea for a crippled canine!
Sweet dog (as all Goldens are I think).... I know they are prone to hip problems as one of our sons has owned them. I hope Smoke recovers completely ... he's getting great rehab help!
Fun series! So glad to see your dog enjoying the water.
Wow, what a sweet dogie Smoke is♡♡♡ And how happy and lucky he is having such thoughtful owners! Wonderful way to rehab, isn't it☆☆☆
I still miss mine I used to have. Just before 30 years old, we had lost 6 year old Shetland Sheep dog. He was a present from my husband seeing me lonely without baby. (fertility treatment didn't work) And then I started teaching English at home for my neighbors' children (sort of a small cram school, supplemental for their textbooks)
PS> Thank you SO much for your sweet comment. In our area we had no effect but... I updated my post, Gail.
Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Oh my what a fun outing. I do love Goldens...:)
How sweet.
What an adorable dog!
What a sweet dog, and a great idea to get him some exercise this way. The rubber chicken is hilarious.
hehe. The rubber chicken. It's funny because I was thinking of buying one the other day. And we don't even own a dog! ((hugs)) for Smoke.
Smart idea putting Smoke in the life jacket.
I would be down there for hours throwing and watching. Our bug yellow dog/buffalo like to retrieve the item once or twice and then is ready to just lay in the water and play catch on the land.
Glad you all had fun.
Smoke is a beautiful dog. He looks pretty happy in the water.
So, it is really beautiful footage and amazing story.
Ha. You did get a bird in this post. Good job with the rubber chicken!
That's a great idea!
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