Friday 23 September 2011

A Day in the Pool

Quite some time ago, my humans took me to a place in Singapore where I could go swimming in my own 'private' pool!

As this was my first time at a swimming pool, it took me a while to figure out how to get in and out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not afraid of water, it's just that I'm used to swimming in the sea or in lakes (Garda and Como). The swimming pool proved to be a lot trickier. The tiles were slippery and my paws were sliding in all directions so I had to be extra careful.

Still, I eventually managed to master the art of getting in and out of the pool without making a complete fool of myself. Let me show you how it's done...


First of all, you've got to check that there are no sharks or crocodiles swimming around.

Then, you have to test the water to make sure that it's nice and cool.

When everything is fine, off you go!

Diving and jumping into the pool were not exactly my forte. I was more comfortable with the slow (and graceless) slide technique.

See what I mean?!?

Once I was used to getting in and out, my humans started to throw tennis balls for me to retrieve!

They made sure that the balls were as far away from me as possible.

At first, I thought I could get this ball without getting into the pool. If I just stretch a bit further... Unfortunately, I couldn't quite get there. If only I had a bigger mouth!

My 'psychic powers' were not much use either.

I had no choice but to get into the water! Good grief!

Yikes!

Once in, I had no trouble getting my ball...

...there was just one problem. Although I'd mastered the art of getting into the pool, no-one had told me how to get back out!

I couldn't make it up this way...

...so I went searching for another escape route.

Finally, I discovered the 'easy corner' of the pool.

Once I'd gotten the hang of things, there was just no stopping me.

Before long I was retrieving two balls at a time!

Each time I got out of the pool, it was time for the obligatory shake!

Just one more for luck and I was fully dry...

...and ready to play 'fetch' on terra firma.

Off we go...

Yippee!

Puff! pant! You didn't have to throw it so far Dad!

All in all I had a great day out. I can't wait to go to back to my swimming paradise.