You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Last week, I bought a paddle board.  For some reason, I have always wanted one and fate stepped in and put a screw in my tire, so I would have to shop while they fixed it, and sure enough, there was a paddle board just waiting for me on one of the end aisles. The price was also stated incorrectly, so I got it for less than what is was supposed to be. All in all, a good day. My husband was not nearly as ecstatic as I was with my new purchase, but has come to realize that his wife really does know everything, because he loves the thing.

My niece told me you needed to have good strong core muscles to paddle board, so I was pretty sure I was going to spend some time in the water, which I did, but finally got up on it and I now have a better plan of action for the next time.  Next time, I am not going to yell stuff like, "this board is defective," or "stop telling me how to do it," at my husband who was giving me "helpful" hints. I also need to spread my feet out further apart and open my eyes...LOL!

My niece was here for a visit all the way from Nashville and she mastered the paddle board like a pro and thinks she is going to take a class offered in her area....Yoga on a Paddle board or something. WTD!  If anyone can do it, it is my niece. I teased her all weekend that I am sure the rest of us would be better at it, if we could get a turn on the darn thing. I also told her I was going to write a blog called, Chelsea, The Paddle Board Hog, but so far, I have not. The hardest part for her was trying to avoid Vern, aka the Paddle Board tipper, while she was on the board.

Sometimes, she shared and let him have a turn, too:

Actually, now that I am looking at the pictures, I may need to revise the name of the blog to Vern, The Paddle Board Hog.  Here he is getting another free ride with my daughter, Hayley.

The funny thing was both dogs wanted to be on that paddle board. Vern would actually cry if someone paddled out of his reach and anytime someone fell in the water, (my DD and me), both dogs would swim to the rescue.  FYI: A two Doodle rescue can hurt a little if you are unprepared for the way they try and grab on to you.  If Fudge got on the board, Vern would try his best to get on, too, and sometimes I had two dogs wrestling on that board and playing their own version of "King of the Mountain." We may have to get a dog board. Chelsea did not want to get wet and you could hear her saying, "oh no, oh no," when Vern or Fudge would start their approach in her direction.

All in all, I learned a couple of things. You are never too old to try something new and Doodles can paddle board, or at least hitch rides with someone who is trying to paddle board. We had a great visit with my niece, Chelsea. Here are two cousins who rarely get to see each other.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Joni!

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

What a great time! Those two are crackin' me up trying to take over the board.  And I must say that paddle boarding looks much easier there than in the ocean.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Marnie, I don't think I would have a prayer in the ocean....LOL!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Definitely need to buy Vern and Fudge their own board! They look so cute on it. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I agree :) I might have to think about their own monogrammed board :)

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Looks like a lot of fun.  Love your pictures!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Anne.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Hey, if it will make me look like your niece, I'm going to sign up for Yoga on a paddle board!  They might have to offer it in a swimming pool though because I don't think I'd be able to get in the lake ... that whole snake thing, you know.  Looks like everyone had a great time.  I love the pic with Vern sitting on the board with your daughter and the two doods on the board, ok, I love all the pictures.  Looks like you all are so enjoying your new boat!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My niece is so tiny....notice I have no pictures of me with her.....LOL!! My husband swears there are no snakes where we swim and I am choosing to believe him. Just like there are no sharks when we swim in the ocean. Thank  you!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think everyone deserves his/her own board including of course Fudge and Vern. I'm giving lots of thought as to how the dogs will paddle, perhaps a thin area of the board with holes for legs? It seems to me you guys are thoroughly enjoying your lake adventures and I'm glad.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

F, Thank you!! We did all agree with more people we would need more boards. It was hard waiting our turn. I think the dogs like all the work done for them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I love that the doodles love the paddle board! You couldn't get JD anywhere near one if you covered it in sirloin, lol! This looks like so much fun for all of you!