Let's Go Swimming!

This past week, Jim and I had a little stay-cation, which was pretty exciting as we've never done one before! Jim also hasn't had anytime off of work since Sully was born, so I was pretty excited to have him home with us everyday. We had nothing big planned other than a few things I wanted to do as a family. One of these things being swimming. Sometimes I feel guilty that Sully and I get to do fun things together during the day while Jim misses out. Taking Sully swimming was one thing I wanted to do together for the first time.

So yesterday afternoon, after Sully had a little nap (in his crib - praise the lord!) we packed up and headed out to the rec centre. I knew there was a reason I wanted Jim along for this particular outing - it's so much work getting ready to get in the pool and it's equally as much work getting ready to go home! Granted, the pool change rooms have these amazing little seats in the wall to strap your baby into, but still, the second set of hands was sure nice.

Sully's reaction to being in the pool was not what we expected. He didn't hate it, but I wouldn't say he loved it either. He was just so serious during the whole ordeal. There were no tears, but we also couldn't get him to crack a smile or laugh. We poured water on his head and he got splashed several times by other kids playing nearby and he didn't even react. Sully spent the hour we were in the pool looking around, taking in all the action. He was a little sweetheart and he had the young girls in the pool swooning over him.

We can't wait to take Sully swimming again! And next month, weather permitting, we plan to dip his toes in the ocean when we are vacationing in Nova Scotia! 

Saigon Sundays: Lil' Swimmer

Of all the things I miss about living in BC, I miss Cultus Lake the most. On a hot summer day, we could jump in our car and be at the lake in under 20 minutes. But what we loved most about the lake was the dog beach area. Saigon, I swear, is part fish. He loves to swim, and I mean LOVE. Other dog owners at the beach were always quite surprised at his love for the water and he put most other water-loving breeds to shame. When Saigon would realize that we were on the way to the lake (which didn't take long - I swear they have a sixth sense for these things!), he would cry in the back seat until we got there. Once there, he would make a bee-line for the water, one time even running straight off the dock!

Saigon would swim all afternoon if you let him. Sometimes getting him out of the water was like trying to get a small child out of the pool - he did NOT want to leave. He was pretty much oblivious to his surroundings, he could care less about the other dogs and people on the beach; he just wanted to swim. And swim he did! Some days he would want us to throw sticks out in the water - which he would never bring back, but then most times, he would just head on out and swim "laps" back and forth.

Saigon makes a swimming buddy: "Bully"...get it? Cause they're of the bully breed ;p

Swimming with one of his favourite humans, my sister Vanessa.

I was looking through old photos and videos on the computer today when I came across the ones of Saigon at the lake. It definitely made me a little sad for the days of summer past. The joy Saigon got out of swimming was priceless. I wish there was somewhere safe and close-by that we could take him out here, but I've yet to find such a place. For now, I'll have to settle for a trip down memory lane.

And just to get an idea of how much Saigon likes to actually swim (and not just run in and out of the water - although he does that too!), here's a little video of him swimming in Cultus Lake.