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.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

What a great vacation! Thanks for sharing!

[Donna P.]

Thanks Pat. Bayley was hysterical to watch with the balloon. It was uncanny the way the balloon moved, It was trapped with air currents by the sea wall and really looked alive.

[Pat and Traveler]

Great pictures--and what a wonderful vacation!  Love the pictures of Bayley with the balloon!!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Sounds like a fun vacation.  Loved your pictures.