Sink or Swim

Most dogs should be able to swim right? I mean that is why we call it the 'doggie paddle' after all. Except of course if you are a bull terrier and a miniature one at that. I mean have you seen how Jet is built? Visualize a 30lb brick on short legs with a smaller brick for a head and you have a pretty good picture. That does not conjure up thoughts of something that is terribly buoyant - well at least it doesn't to me. Now add to that the fact that Jet hates water. The first time I attempted to bath her, she literally froze in position in the laundry tubs downstairs. She didn't struggle or try to get out - she just stood there in total shock and disbelief. I guess she was smart enough to figure out that if she stood still it would be done quicker! :) I introduced her to a wading pool at a show last summer - thought I was being kind as it was a super hot day in August and she needed to cool down. Not so much - I had to lift her into the kiddie pool and she went into her freeze mode with the most unhappy look on her face.
For all these reasons, I was not anticipating that my dog would EVER swim.
Well on Saturday she finally did - although I must admit it was not by her choice.
Chasing border collies, which are chasing sticks, is a great past time for miss Jet. She doesn't want the stick - just the thrill of the chase is enough for her. For a few weeks now, she has watched with disdain as the border collies lunge into the water after their sticks, swimming elegantly to and from shore as she races up and down the shoreline with nary a foot in the water.
Well this week, I guess her chase brain trumped her "I hate water" brain and before she knew what had happened she was neck deep and water and OMG her feet all of the sudden didn't touch bottom. If you have ever seen sheer panic on the face of a dog - this was it. She swam about 3 ft and then frantically turned around and swam back to dry land as fast as could. Just her little (ok big) head was above water as she made her way to shore. I think I was in as much shock as she was and was ready to leap in and save her, but she managed just fine on her own. Ok, ok so the water wasn't that deep and I could have waded in after her but it was the thought that counts.
I should have had a video camera, because I don't think Jet will fall for that trick again. What trick you ask? Oh the one where the border collies try to lure her out to deep water and drown her! :)