Pembroke & Cardigan Welsh Corgi - View Single Post

Clogs · 02-11-2007, 10:50 PM

Eskimo Rose

David and I are quite keen kayakers. Rosie has accompanied us ever since she was a puppy, securely roped to one of us via her car harness. She loves being in the kayak, and her favourite position is right behind whoever she is tied to, back feet in the well, front feet up on the edge as the craft speeds across the water. If she sees a shore bound dog, she can’t resist giving it a lot of superior “I’m out here and you can’t get me” lip, stroppy young madam that she is.

Once, when we came to rope her up, we realized that the usual linking lead had been left behind. But not to worry; we used a length of light rope that was in the boot. Securely tied, knots double checked and with the excess rope coiled neatly and draped across the hatch of David’s kayak, we set off across the lake.

The day was hot and sunny and after half an hour or so of paddling, we stopped for a wee breather. I still don’t know if she wanted a drink or simply decided to go for a cooling swim, but just as we set off again, Rosie suddenly leant out of the kayak, lowered her nose down towards the water and shot off the side. And man – did she plummet! Down…down…down she went, the rope uncoiling speedily behind her. Before an instant had passed, she was a distant wee speck, far below us.

We both gaped foolishly at our disappearing dog for a moment, then:
“Pull! Pull her up!” I shouted.

David began hauling on the rope and slowly, gradually, the little dog started to rise. But as she had gone down, the rope had wound around her body and as she came up, we could see her spinning like a barrel in the water. Around and around and around she went. The harder David pulled, the faster she spun. At last, she popped to the surface like a large ginger cork. The expression on her face was a distinct “What did you do that for?”

We expected her to be coughing and spluttering, but instinct must have taken over and she had held her breath the whole time she was under. She wasn’t at all phased by the experience and was just as keen to go again the next time.

02-11-2007, 10:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
Clogs Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Frequently seen in a big, green bus. Posts: 362	Eskimo Rose David and I are quite keen kayakers. Rosie has accompanied us ever since she was a puppy, securely roped to one of us via her car harness. She loves being in the kayak, and her favourite position is right behind whoever she is tied to, back feet in the well, front feet up on the edge as the craft speeds across the water. If she sees a shore bound dog, she can’t resist giving it a lot of superior “I’m out here and you can’t get me” lip, stroppy young madam that she is. Once, when we came to rope her up, we realized that the usual linking lead had been left behind. But not to worry; we used a length of light rope that was in the boot. Securely tied, knots double checked and with the excess rope coiled neatly and draped across the hatch of David’s kayak, we set off across the lake. The day was hot and sunny and after half an hour or so of paddling, we stopped for a wee breather. I still don’t know if she wanted a drink or simply decided to go for a cooling swim, but just as we set off again, Rosie suddenly leant out of the kayak, lowered her nose down towards the water and shot off the side. And man – did she plummet! Down…down…down she went, the rope uncoiling speedily behind her. Before an instant had passed, she was a distant wee speck, far below us. We both gaped foolishly at our disappearing dog for a moment, then: “Pull! Pull her up!” I shouted. David began hauling on the rope and slowly, gradually, the little dog started to rise. But as she had gone down, the rope had wound around her body and as she came up, we could see her spinning like a barrel in the water. Around and around and around she went. The harder David pulled, the faster she spun. At last, she popped to the surface like a large ginger cork. The expression on her face was a distinct “What did you do that for?” We expected her to be coughing and spluttering, but instinct must have taken over and she had held her breath the whole time she was under. She wasn’t at all phased by the experience and was just as keen to go again the next time.