July 16

Today was my second trip to Red Bud Isle Dog Park.  I LOVE this place.  I usually like to get close to the water, but I won't get in.  Today, I decided to push my boundaries.  It was a wonderful day, and so we captured it in pictures rather than words.

First, I watched Eleanor playing.

I explored a lot of shoreline on my own.

Then Uncle M decided to "help" me get more comfortable in the water.

Eventually, we walked around to the other side of the island, we found a little cove that had shallow water where there was a good set of rocks to stand on before you hit the big drop-off and the strong current. Uncle M started coaxing me out into the water and it really helped when Eleanor and Isis got in too.

I wanted to get out there and see the water, but there were a lot of false starts before I made it all the way out there.

But finally, finally, I decided I could just do it on my own!! I went out and looked over the edge and when I was just too excited, I came back to shore and ran off some of that energy.  Whew, what a rush!!! It's like parachute jumping, it was so exciting!

Finally, Uncle M even tried to teach me real swimming.  I was NOT up for it! But I still got back in and out of the water and wasn't afraid.