Like a duck to water, Nuala takes the plunge.

Today was the perfect day for a trip to the Rivah.

We've often wondered if the Lab in Nuala would kick in someday and turn her into a true water dog. She's enjoyed playing in the water but has never been comfortable enough to take the full plunge. That is, until today.

Nuala started her water play as she usually does, wading through the shallows, and biting at the rivulets flowing between the rocks. It wasn't until Sue had the bright idea of including in the game one of Nuala's true loves, a stick, that the water play took a turn towards the inevitable.


We started by throwing the stick into the shallows then slowly worked if farther out, and into deeper water until, Voila, Nuala came into her own and became a true Labrador Retriever.

Reminded me of watching my kids walk for the first time.

Next will be training her to retrieve the newspaper... from the neighbors house down the street.

After her swim it was time to dry off, loll in the sun, have treats, and gnaw the ubiquitous stick.

THE BIG DIP