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, Camilla.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Wow, you are all turning into water babies (Ok, not babies exactly) ; )

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

LOL....water oldies :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Laurie, I hope that DH of yours knows how lucky he is!  He didn't even know he wanted a Paddle Board or a Party Pontoon Boat.....he clearly needs you to show him how to have fun.  Love these pictures!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, You need to remind him of that again and again on that cruise. There are a lot of things he didn't know he wanted until I brought them home :) Thanks!

[Katie and Sophie]

That looks like so much fun!  And it is awesome how much Fudge and Vern love the water.  We are signed up for a rescue event where you paddle board with your dogs!  I am so excited to try it!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Have a great time!!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

How fun is that! Great photos!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Janie.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Great!  Another thing we could do with the dogs.  They are doing great with the bike tow leash (BTL) and Harpo loved his swimming lesson in the canine therapy pool, so maybe it is time for another new thing.  But we will have to do it in the ocean.  I am a great swimmer and will fit in my son's surf wetsuit, so now we just have to get the boards and a wetsuit that will fit my husband.  Another summer project.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Lynda, I commend you if you can stand on the board in the ocean. How awesome would that be? Please take some pictures and share if you get some paddle boards.

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Lucky pups...Love the pictures!