Playin’ Pool: dogs cooling off

The weather is changing. I need a jacket–or at least closed-toe shoes–when I take the dogs out at night for their last potty break and yard inspection. During the day, the warmth of the sun feels good–not horrid like it can be in midsummer. To those who wear fur coats, though, it can still be plenty hot.

This summer, as in previous years, I’ve tried to get my dogs to enjoy a cool dip in the pool. And by dogs I mean Jasper and Tucker.

Lilah–she of the ebony fur–loves to splash around in the pool, sticking her snout in the water and blowing bubbles.

But the boys do not like getting their paws–let alone their fur–wet.

After a rainstorm or in the morning when the grass is moistened with dew, Jasper will stay on the deck or on the slates in the shade garden, and venture out into the terror of the wet toes only when he really has to go.

Tucker is a little better; he’s so busy chasing things that he doesn’t notice wet paws. Take him out in the rain, however, and he looks like a kid who’s been told the only way he can have a double fudge sundae for dessert is if he eats his brussels sprouts.

But with a little patience, some help from a brother and a sister, and a handful of tasty treats, I managed to get Jasper and Tucker into the kiddie puppy pool. Grudgingly.

Usually Lilah–and sometimes Jasper–watch me fill up the pool.

The water looks awesome!

At first, the dogs lean over the edge and drink from the giant water bowl. That’s why I use a hose that’s safe for humans to drink from–and why I never leave the hose out in the sun.

Tastes good, too.

Lilah is not a fan of the hose, so she waits until I take it out of the pool to jump in. She circles the pool with her face full in, and lifts it up, dripping and smiling. I can only imagine how cool and refreshing that pool must feel when the sun is baking her long dark fur.

Nothing like a refreshing dip in the pool.

She takes a moment to look around. Maybe her brothers will join her?

C’mon in, boys! The water is great!

Lilah doesn’t stay long in the pool–just enough to cool off. Now it’s Jasper’s turn. Lilah stays around to encourage him.

Halfway there, Jasper. Two more paws!

Once Jasper is in, Lilah leaves, her mission accomplished.

Tucker approaches the giant water bowl cautiously. You never know about water; it might suddenly jump out of the pool and wet his paws.

It’s not too bad, Tucker. Mom gives you treats.

All this time, I’ve been giving Jasper treats, having him walk around the pool; I think he’s beginning to realize that the water won’t burn his toes off.

Tucker, on the other paw, isn’t convinced.

But there are treats.

But there’s water.

Finally, Tucker puts one paw in. Treat. Treat. Treat.

Then another. Treat. Treat. Treat.

Eventually, the whole dog is standing in the water.

But only on three legs.

Somehow that makes it better; as long as all four paws aren’t in the water, according to Tucker’s Law, he’s not really in the water.

Can we get out now?

The look on Tucker’s face is priceless. Poor dog. How I torture him.

What do your pets think of water?

You may also like:

• Text from Dog: Pool safety is important
• Everybody into the pool!
• Keepin’ Cool

This post is part of the Monday Mischief blog hop. Take a look at some of the other mischief makers in the blogs below.

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