Doodlin' Around the Beach

[Donna P.]

Bayley and Mayzie went on a beach vacation last week. The whole week was about them. We found restaurants that allowed dogs on their deck and took them everywhere we ate. There are several stores and shopping areas that allow dogs. Orvis is wonderful. They gave the dogs water, and treats; let them try out their dog beds and pick out toys to buy. Bass Pro Shop also allows dogs and the staff was very welcoming.

Mayzie, the bearded collie, is a very beautiful dog, and the breed is fairly unknown around here. She always got all the attention from strangers, but I think she's a bit jealous, because everyone we met was immediately drawn to Bayley. They loved her. I was surprized at the number of people that knew she was a golden doodle, or mistakenly thought she was a labradoodle. I didn't run into any negativity. She was universally loved and admired. AND, she behaved herself. No jumping up on people, no putting their whole arm into her mouth. At the restaurants, she tucked under the table with Mayzie and didn't bother anyone.

She was tentative about all the new things she experienced. After all, she's a country farm dog and unaccustomed to the brave new world.

It took a while to warm up to the breakers. Water in the pond isn't so aggressive!

 

 

She was just getting used to dashing into the surf when we rounded a curve and the bottom dropped off to deep water. Sploosh!! Bayley learns to swim.

 

Further down the beach we encountered a wild balloon, blown erratically by the wind.

Whoa! what is that?

 

Balloon Attacks!

 

 

While walking around the shops of Barefoot Landing, we encountered a most scary concrete cow in front of the icecream shop.

 

 

But soon the cow was forgotten.

 

 

The house we were renting had a dock on the inlet with a small motor boat. The first outing, Bayley definitely didn't have her sea legs. She stayed right by me and trembled a bit.

 

 

By the second day, she decided she could take the helm.

 

 And by the 3rd day, she had graduated to bow sprit.

 

 

But nothing topped the joy of a romp on the sand with her best friend, Mayzie.

 

It was a perfect week. What dog doesn't love the beach. But it was great, especially after the 9 hour car ride, to get back home to the farm. I guess a whole week of being well behaved and the long car ride home finally took their toll. Or perhaps, after all the new experiences and conquering all her fears, she had an overly inflated sense of self confidence, but as we were pulling into the driveway, Bayley spotted a deer running through the woods and leapt straight out of the back window of the truck. She scared us to death. She tumbled and rolled when she hit the ground, but after a guilty glance over her shoulder, she was off and running after the deer. Arrggghhh. Boy did she get a tongue lashing.

[Donna P.]

Thanks Pam. We just kept thinking how bad it could have been. If she had landed wrong and broken a leg, if she'd rolled the wrong way and ended up under a tire, if we had been going more than 5 miles an hour. I get heart palpatations just writing this. We'll have to leave the windows part way up from now on. Did anyone read Marley and Me. There was an episode where Marley jumped out of the car. It was hysterical the way it was written. Great book, by the way, if you haven't read it.

[Pam & Trixie]

Looks like a wonderfaul vacation.  I loved all of the Pictures! 

Glad Bayley didnt get hurt jumping out of the truck

[Donna P.]

Several people have asked where we went to the beach. It is the greater Myrtle Beach area in SC. We go every year since we both grew up near by. We always stay at a beach at the bottom end of the Grand Strand called Murrells Inlet. It used to be a sleepy fishing village, but has gotten swallowed up.

[sandy b]

Thanks for sharing. The pics are wonderful. Where did you stay? Looks like outer banks?

[Gail and Bailey]

Great vacation!  How wonderful that the dogs could go to the restaurant with you!  Love your pictures...love your dogs!!

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

What great pictures!  Jake went to the beach with us last month and we also enjoyed every minute of it.  Baxter had a stay-cation with a friend of mine and her 3 doodles.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

What a great vacation story with matching pictures.   Looks like you had a wonderful time.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Looks like so much fun.  I'd also be interested to know where you went.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

 Donna, your pictures are amazing and looks like "all" of you really enjoyed your beach vacation!  The pictures of Mayzie and Bayley eating out of the cup is sooooo cute!  Thanks for sharing your vacation with us:)

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

What a wonderful trip...where did you guys go?  Looks beautiful where ever it was.