The Irish "Beach Boys" Vacation Tail

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Well we're back from our two weeks at the beach, and the Doods have lots to tell. Overall they were great....although we did have a few "fresh episodes" the first week and we had to join the Naughty Doodles group. By the second week they had adjusted and were able to go out and play in the water off leash in the morning and later in the day when most people had left for the day. There were some grouchy beach people that didn't seem to be very happy with wet Doodles shaking sand all over their blankets (and them too)....can you imagine. So, we restricted them to swimming on the "less populated" hours. I use the term "swimming" very loosely....they would NOT get their tummies wet. Murphy did a couple of times (accidentally) when he was chasing the ball, but he was not happy when that happened. He just left the ball in the water, and Mom had to go chase it. They loved the waves and playing around the edge, but these beach boys are definitely not swimmers. I was thinking before I left that I should pick up life jackets....yea sure. There were lots of other dogs who swam like true water dogs...my sissy boys just watched them. They made a Poodle friend (Daisy)...she even swam with the water dogs, but my guys were not impressed. They actually didn't like her much come to think of it. Here are a couple pictures of the boys in the water...

Yes, Murph thought the whole ocean belonged to him, and he was not going to share it with his little big brother.

Look how skinny Murphy's legs are when he's wet! Guinness loves eating seaweed...it never made him sick.

Notice how Murph is always in front....do you think he's the "boss" of his brother???

The beach house is loaded with "socialization opportunities". That's the nice way of saying that there were always people coming and going from the cottage (toddlers leaving the door open so the Doods could run "free"), strange noises (kids shrieking right outside), fireworks, seagulls "buzzing" the cottage, the ice cream truck playing some obnoxious music several times a day, a gang of little kids who came around every morning singing "donuts, fresh baked donuts" (they sell them cottage to cottage). And the dogs, so many dogs of all shapes and sizes to play with. What amazed me was that they were all friendly and well behaved...they were just "hanging out and having fun". So, with all these noises the Doods felt the need to be "on guard" at all times....
Guinness's favorite guarding spot was on top of the porch picnic table where he could watch us on the beach at all times to be sure we were safe...

Still guarding, but exhausted....here he is with my DS.

Murph did his share of guarding too, but he didn't need to use the picnic table to see..

Every morning we checked the tide chart to decide when WE were going to swim. Murph decided if he ate it, maybe we'd just stay in the cottage with him.

So overall it was a great vacation. The Doods (and their DM and DD) are tired today. It's good to be home...I won't miss sweeping the sand out of the beach house 10 times a day. We met so many really nice people, and they were intrigued with the boys. They could not understand how Guinness could be older and how they could possibly be the same breed.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Looks like a fun vacation. Imagine, a cottage practically in the ocean. I'm glad a ggod time was had by all.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

These pictures make me want to go to the beach with the doodles. Looks like a really great vacation.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

BTW that last photo looks like how Peri looks when she has done something bad. If I catch her in the act, she drops what she is eating and just looks at me like "what mom? what did I do? I didn't touch a thing..."

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Sounds like a great trip! I love the last photo - trouble, trouble!!! LOL. Glad you are back home Jane!

[Leslie and Halas]

Looks like a great vacation! Halas is jealous. He would love to go to the beach.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Hey Guinness and Murphy, Sounds like you had a great vacation getting to play in the water every day. I don't like to swim but I do like to get wet and I have really skinny legs too. Mom says I don't know how to swim, the only time I tried it Mom had to go in the water with me and I just wanted out. I don't think I need to swim. we have fish in the pond in our back yard but I don't see Mom making them go for a walk. Hope you're not too bored now that vacation is over. I'm on vacation too and I love having Mom and Dad around all the time. Quincy

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Wow, I'm so jealous! I so want to take the girls to the beach! How did it work having to brush them out? Did you do it every time they got wet? One of these days I'm going to actually get to take them. Love the pictures. Glad you guys are home safe and sound ..... we missed all of you on here regularly!

[Carol and Banjo]

Oh Jane....I just love your guys! Your vacation sounds wonderful and the pics are terrific!!! Welcome home guys!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I know, Nancie. Today they're exhausted...but what will I do with them tomorrow? They will surely be looking for the ocean in the morning. And yes, my Murph is a big boy...he's a total "gentle giant", and I love every single pound of this goof. Now if I could just convince Guinness.....

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Oh yes...the wet legs. They look like bit puffy sheep with those little skinny legs. We get lots of laughs and surprised looks on people's faces when they see the skinny legs on the big puffy Doodle. Though Gracie takes care of that very quickly...she gets completely wet and then she looks like a rescue dog!!!