On the drive there, Bertie was a perfectly calm little dog. I decided to forgo the carrier this time, though I did bring it with us. Bertie preferred instead to nestle in my arms, or sit up and look out the window (no risk of him jumping out the window, A) he couldn't reach and B) I had him in a harness which I held securely)
(sorry for crap pic - used my phone)
Upon arriving, I introduced Bertie to my friends and the dog Chester. He was a little nervous, but not snappy or anything.
We ventured down to the beach, me carrying Bertie for ease of travel. I deposited him on the sand, but all he wanted to do was hide behind my legs ! Not keen on venturing beyond my lap or my shadow.
Oh Bertie :(
In this photo, he is clearly saying "Are you REALLY expecting me to go out there??
Think I'll sit with this one for awhile, SHE doesn't put me in inch-deep water!
Ah yes I like this spot.
So I carried him down to the water to watch Chester (a Staffy/Bull Arab) wrestle with his soccer ball. Chester LOVED his ball. He would even chase it into the surf! Haha.
After a while I did put Bertie down, and encouraged him to walk around (mostly by running away a little, I felt so cruel!) He didn't mind the water at all, but I didn't put him in deep water, just about an inch of retreating waves.
A few dogs came past us, mostly larger ones, which I didn't try to approach - but there were a couple of small breeds, which we did say hello to. One terrier mixbreed, named Roxie, was lovely. Interesting - because her owner reckoned she was usualy quite grumpy around new dogs and people!
They had a bit of a sniff after I let Bertie take a look at her from the safety of my arms. All went well, but he was keen to return to me.
We headed back to our bags on the softer sand, to sit with my friend (and have a drink from Chester's water dish - which he was kind enough to share)After his drink, Chester started his trench digging job, which he takes very seriously...
Bertie watched this procedure very closely, as I said, 'learning how to be a dog' Haha. I told him I expect a trench from him the next time we visit the beach.
After a bit of trench digging, Chester found his soccer ball again, Bertie found this highly interesting
After a few minutes of snuggling up to me, watching Chester, Bertie ventured out on his own !!! I was more than a little shocked. He went at least 10 metres away from me, happily digging in the sand (randomly, not clearly set-out trenches, like Chester did) and generally exploring. Of course he found something gross to play with, but I quickly threw it far away (he watched it fly, possibly considering chasing it but in the end deciding against the idea)
Bertie exploring.
Bertie about to shake off the sand he has accumulated.
Bertie shaking!
He's off!
After all that exploring, Bertie was pretty sleepy. He slept almost the entire way home, and is currently sacked out on my lap (the glow of my macbook doesn't seem to bother him) positioned with his head significantly lower than his body. Don't know how dogs can comfortably do that! Many seem to, though.
Bertie says goodnight.
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