Thursday, April 29, 2010

ok, so maybe he is smarter than I thought...

I've been trying to get Ace to swim.
The main reason?
I heard it's the best way to tire him out.
And my furniture legs will thank me.
The first day we went out I forgot my camera.
So these are pictures from our second attempt.
I found out that Ace has an amazing memory.
The first day we went out,
I got him in the water by throwing a stick out a little farther into the water each time.
There was a little "drop off" a few feet out where it got deep real quick.
We were having a great time when I threw the stick a little too far.
Ace went out after it and sank.
He swallowed a bunch on water and came out coughing and sputtering.
He wouldn't go back in anymore after that.
So here we are on day two.
He was a little hesitant to go in but finally did.
He has the stick on the first throw.
He did well for a few more throws but then
I threw it a little too far.

He says "Nope! Not gonna get it"



Turning around


and leaving it.

and giving me a dirty look for loosing his stick.
But then he did something that surprised me.

He got out of the river and watched the stick.
He noticed that it was blowing back toward shore.

So he ran up the side of the river to the next open area.
To see if it was going to be close enough.

He quickly calculated currents, wind speeds, and angles...
and choose the opening two places down.
um... yeah.


and he waited there.

and sure enough, here it comes.


He looked at me like this when he got out.
This isn't a look of pride "look-at-me!" look.
This is a "don't-you-ever-do-that-again!" look.
How do I know?

He wouldn't give it back.

and then he snuck up behind me while I was enjoying the view
and did this.

but it was worth it.

12 comments:

Charis & Judah's Mom said...

that is one SMART dog. i'd be afraid if i were you. :)

Brian Miller said...

haha. gues he showed you. smiles. dogs are really smart...cute one you got there...

Liz Mays said...

That was just the cutest little tale! I'm really quite amazed at how he ended up retrieving that stick!

Barb said...

I love it! They say border collies are really smart. Ginger has some border collie in her and I believe she's the smartest of our dogs. Plus, she nips at my heels whenever I run in the yard with the kids!
Great story!

Sheri said...

i just loved this!! your fun story was even more enjoyable because of the pics you posted...what an amazing and beautiful dog you have, tori!

Bossy Betty said...

I wish my kids and husband were this smart!!!

mommyto3kiddos said...

LOL...that' hilarious!! And definitely a very smart Ace! :)

I Love Pretty Little Things said...

O.K. Not only is he very, very cute, by soooooo smart! The picture of him sleeping is a classic!

Joyce

Vicki Lane said...

Border collies are smart -- we've had them for years. They want to please but don't seem to want to go swimming -- though they like to lie in the creek and cool off.

Yours is a classic!

Baino said...

Haha awesome photos. I have a lab so swimming isn't a problem, in fact it's a total nuisance! Smart doggie that one. Then you've acquired one of the most active breeds you can get!

Sewn With Grace said...

Oh my Tori, your last picture has me crying, I'm laughing so hard! I can't believe he sleeps like that, it's hilarious!

Brosnan`s Fans said...

Pierce, you are an awesome actor and good men