The Doggie Paddle Days of Summer
Byzy in the lake with a stick
Now that the first draft of my new book is finished, we’re headed to New Hampshire for a little R&R which, for me, includes long swims in our little lake.
Years ago, I taught my dog, Byzy, to swim. At least that’s what I like to believe. The fact is, he could always swim. After all, he’s a Golden Retriever. But he didn’t like the water as much as I thought he should, so I decided to teach him to love it as I do. When he was a puppy, Byzy was a bit timid about going out into the deep water. And since I thought it would be great fun to have a companion on my long swims around the lake, I had to do something to help him get over this fear. So I started calling him to me as I got farther and farther from the shoreline. It wasn’t long before he was swimming right to me, no matter how deep the water was.
The one thing I didn’t anticipate was that, when he caught up to me, he would always try to put his paws on my shoulders to keep himself afloat. This was fine when he was a little puppy. But now, Byzy is close to one hundred pounds, huge for a Golden, even an alpha male. He is powerful and muscular and, even at fifteen and with a bit of hip dysplasia, he can still swim much faster than I can. So as soon as he gets to me, he still puts his paws on my shoulders, and down I go. When I come up again, he seems relieved to see me and swims over and again puts his paws on my shoulders.
You can see where this is going. I have tried to retrain him, and, failing that, to explain to him in plain English why this is not the great idea he seems to think it is. On certain issues, Byzy seems to understand plain English. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. Try as I might, I couldn’t get him to change his behavior. So now he stays on the screened porch while I swim. Then, afterward, I throw a ball into the lake and he fetches it and sighs. We still swim together on occasion, we just don’t venture into waters so deep that neither one of us can stand up. He doesn’t like that as much, but I’ve explained to him in plain English that this is better for me. He sighs. And then, the first chance he gets, he shakes the lake water out of his fur onto as many unsuspecting people as he can find.
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:45 pm
LOVE IT!! You paint the picture beautifully. Dying for the new book, can’t wait! Enjoy your time in New Hampshire. Happy Fourth!
July 14th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I wasn’t sure where to post this, but I just wanted to thank you for visiting our book club last night. It was such a delightful evening! I particularly enjoyed hearing how The Lace Reader came to be. I keep thinking about the dream you had in your new house in Salem after finding an old piece of handmade lace with a history. You have such a talent for storytelling. I’m encouraging all of my friends, family and coworkers to pick up a copy of your novel and attend one of your readings, if possible. And I’m looking forward to following your characters–whom I’ve grown to love–in subsequent novels.
Thank you again!
July 15th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Those water dogs! I have a lab and while he loves playing in the water, he looks at it as his job. When I’ve tried to swim with him, he looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind. I’m supposed to be on the shore, throwing the ball! In order to alleviate his frustration, I drag my body from the respite of cool water, back to the 100 degree Texas temperatures, to throw the ball for our spoiled but wonderful water dog.
We met in Austin as I waited to visit with you and Rebecca after your panel. I recently finished The Lace Reader and was astounded by the story and your talent in creating it. As I told you then, I repeat now: congratulations on living every struggling writer’s dream. I applaud you and sit in humble admiration of your talent!
peace,
Stacy Overman Morrison
And please, please, if you haven’t yet read Toni Morrison’s A Mercy, do so. After reading your work, I know you will enjoy it.
July 24th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Hi- so glad to see Byzy in the water- the family is good both Anna and Leah returned from camp- I have begun to get busy on the trade release- I have been kept in the loop- Can’t wait to reconnect- Tell the hubby I say hello- I get nice notes on Facebook every so often- I can’t wait to read the new book. Good job. I do still want to have you test Vivo- the launch has been very exciting. That’s the Bru-ha-ha from Pittsburgh.
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Hi – I just picked up The Lace Reader audio book last week from our local library. The thing that caught my attention was the mention of Salem. I began working in Essex county just over 1 year ago and travel to Salem frequently. Since I am in the car for a long commute I love listning to audio books. I am so glad I picked this one up, in fact I went back to the library to get the text as well because I can’t stop wanting more when I get out of the car! I hope you will be having some events locally again soon, I would love to meet you and I am so looking forward to more from you! I plan to recommend this to my book club