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.