Summer Lovin'!

[Heidi & Milton]

When Jeff and I were looking for a house, I was very adamant that I wanted a pool.  I grew up on a lake, swimming whenever it was hot, and now living in a state where temperatures peak in the low 100s, I was emphatic that a pool was a necessity.  There were an awful lot of naysayers who said that a swimming pool would be full of maintenance, too costly, and a detriment when we finally want to sell and move on.  I tuned out all the Negative Nellies and kept on looking.

Turns out, we did not land a house with a pool, but it was not for any of the reasons detailed above.  It was much more wrapped up in the fact that we bought an old house in the heart of Dallas, and the majority of these houses (except for our lucky dog of a neighbor right next door!) do not have the lot size to support a pool.  Being the good doggie parents that we are, we chose a yard for our boy instead of a lusciously refreshing swimming pool that I could be floating in as I type this.  Oh, dear...

Despite the lack of a pool, summer is in the air, especially in our backyard.  We might not have a grand indoor swimming pool with deluxe water slide and 10-jet jacuzzi, but we do have one of these.

Check it out.

I know what you are thinking - this is sad and strangely pathetic.  Well, this big blue pool fits in our yard, we can store it away when we are done with it, AND it is still large enough to fit both Milt Dog and me.  Our goldendoodle feels pretty darn lucky to have his own private watering hole out back.

Once Milton gets even one paw damp, he likes to go roll about and get all that wet off.

Diirrrrty

Then, of course, he likes to go and get all that dirt off. 

A chocolate pond

Our pool becomes a muddy mess that eventually requires two people to pick up and dump out, if we can.  If not, we start bailing with buckets until we lighten the load.

Once Milt has been properly hosed down following his mud bath, he can just kick back on our deck and dry that big 'ole belly.

Ah...

It is not exactly Owasco Lake, where I grew up, but water in the backyard is still a little piece of home, and Milt's love of water certainly takes after his Momma Dog who got it from her dad when she was a little girl.

Yesterday, April 17th, was the two-year anniversary of my dad's death, and Jeff and I chose to remember him by attending mass and eating a memorial dinner of two of his favorites - cheesesteak subs and caramel sundaes from McDonald's.  My dad instilled in me many, many things, but a love of water tops the list.  I am glad to know that I am passing this appreciation along to the Milt Dog.

To read more about Milton the Goldendoodle please visit www.goldilocksandherdoodle.com

[Sue and Buddy]

Love Milt loving his pool. He looks really pleased with the chocolate water.  I use a short piece of hose to start a siphon and drain the pool that way. One end is in the pool and held down with a brick. The rest of the hose is coil in the pool letting it fill with water. When bubbles stop coming from the hose, I put my thumb over the end and quickly bring it out of the pool and lay it down hill from the pool. There does need  to be a bit of a slope or it won't work.

The memorial of your father brought a tear to my eye. My father also loved water and taught me how to enjoy being on and in the water. He also liked simple things in life. I agree that your dad is looking down and encouraging Milt in his water fun.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Very cute blog Heidi and a "pool is a pool" and it is perfect for now and Milt seems to love it!  Nice way to remember your Dad and I am sure he is looking down with a smile on his face.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

cheesesteak subs and caramel sundaes sound like a pretty awesome meal.  I bet your dad is looking down at the Milt smiling at his love for water :)  LOL on the chocolate pond picture!