It's a dog's life- and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

This is Lady. She's my sister's Chocolate Lab, but I helped raise her from a pup, and we've developed a special bond over the past five years. I play with her, I take her for her daily walkies, and I'm the only one she'll "swim" with. We jump into the pool together, she paddles around a bit, then she heads right for me. I know it's my job to put my arms out so she can settle in and float there, gently supported by me. We stay like that as long as she wants to- usually, after ten or fifteen minutes she'll head for the ladder and leave the pool to rest in the shade.

For her, life is good. For me, it's perfect. It's the way it's supposed to be, and I'd let my arms drop off before making her swim away before she's ready.

She's my Lady, and I love her.

[Blue Diadem]

1. Awww..she's adorable.

I bet it's much easier to hold her in the water than it is out. I've had a couple labs..big boys who thought they were lap dogs.

Lady's lucky to have you..she looks very content.

[malta blue]

2. awww

That is so sweet.

:pals:

[MountainLaurel]

3. The cute is overwhelming me

I could just see my golden boy wanting the same thing (I think all retrievers are lap dogs). Here he is in a slightly smaller pool:

http://bp3.blogger.com/_znEghFQhLs8/SE9YDesRVRI/AAAAAAAAAdw/G3UYtDeQcag/s320/tris+at+cabrini+june+08.JPG

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. You definitely need to upsize the ol' swimming hole a bit.

:rofl:

[MountainLaurel]

10. Technically, it's a water dish

There's a dog park over in the French Quarter -- It has 2 or 3 of those baby pools filled with water for drinking, although a lot of splashing, cooling of paws, and soaking occurs.

[Pool Hall Ace]

4. Both Lady and MountainLaurel's lab look very content in the water!

:hi:

[ThomCat]

5. That is a picture of love.

:)

It seems like you both have a very good life. I hope you are both happy and healthy and get to keep walking and swimming together for a very long time.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

7. I don't know if you can see it or not, but my eyes are closed

I was so relaxed I was probably about half asleep when my sister took that shot. Nuttin' like the fragrance of chlorine and wet dog fur to make the day right... :evilgrin:

Perhaps you should try a bit of water therapy for your pain! Ya never know...

[ThomCat]

8. Water therapy would do me a lot of good.

But gym memberships in places with a pool can get very expensive, especially in Manhattan where I spend most of my time, and I'm tapped very tightly. :(

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

9. A pity.

It really helps my arthritis. I suffer a lot more when I can't jump into the water for an hour a day.

[LeftyFingerPop]

11. Aww, she looks like a real beauty...

and she is lucky to have you in her life.

[Catshrink]

12. That's one Lady that has you trained.

You both look so content.

[driver8]

13. Very sweet photo.

She looks very happy in your arms...maybe she knows that she's got you wrapped around her, uhm...paw?

I'm a dog lover too, so I can totally relate!!

[ForrestGump]

14. And now,

a musical interlude:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MozNanP7tYM

:D

I think the collie was Elvis' own dog ('Baba' was the name if memory serves).

[Angel]

15. A picture of total contentment

A relaxing photo. What a way to spend a those precious 15 minutes. Memories you will never forget.

[Skittles]

16. y'all look alike, and I mean that in a good way

you even have the same expression :D

[Eurobabe]

17. Aww, she looks like a sweet girl

Give her a pat from me. :loveya: