Now that I have started  a blog when going through old photo files I come across photo’s and pasts events I  HAVE to share.  This post has lots of photo’s so I better keep my words to a minimum and let the photographs do the work.

In Tahoe our Golden’s become REAL mountain dogs.  They are in heaven at Tahoe and the Truckee River.  Here are some highlights of Sasha’s first trip to Tahoe in June 2011 when she was about 4 months old.  She had swim a bit in the pool at home but NEVER in real water.   So we started in the shallow waters on the beach at Tahoe Tavern, North Shore.  It was a dark cloudy cool day but that makes no difference to the dogs.  Water is water.  BALL STICK WATER GO.They are off.  Not sure if they are after a stick or a dirty tennis ball.  Yolo in the lead of course with Maisie and Sasha following.  Sasha has no idea what she is doing she just follows Mom and Uncle Yolo.  Instinct I quess.On the way back Sasha already knows how to play defense.  Against her own mother!This being Sasha’s first time in the competition……she falls back a bit short in the running.A proper shake off is in order.Ears are the most important part to shake the water out of.After the beach we venture out to the pier for a look.  Mama Jo says no swimming from the pier for Sasha until she gets a little more experience.Maisie’s coat has all but fallen out after having a litter four months ago.  As you can see the cold air on her wet coat does not dampen her spirits a bit. Sasha looks around not knowing what in the world is out there.  Miss Maisie Rose on the other hand is eyeing some kind of unsuspecting bird about to land on the water.

This was just a quick introductory visit to the pier.  It is time to move on towards the Truckee River.   Mr Lassen and Maisie in the lead.  Yolo hangs back with the baby.I’m AM fast mom WATCH me.Oops I got ahead of everybody.  I’ll rest and wait.Once at the Truckee River Sasha combs the shore. Sneaky little one, readies herself to pounce when it is time.It is time to pounce on Mom.Sasha thinks twice about trying to pounce on Yolo.  Smart girl.Meanwhile within seconds Maisie is gone and on the hunt after this handsome pair swimming upstream.  Good luck.  Just as I though Maisie is back in a flash, no bird in mouth.Sasha HAS to see if Mom got anything on the hunt

Nope, oh well I’ll just comb the shores some more.

Back to sitting, hunting and pouncing at the river side. Sasha gets her nerve up and decides to wade in all the way.  She is a little baffled as to why swimming is a little tricky in this big river. But in no time she is after the big dogs even in the strong current.   Sasha’s getting the hang of this sport called retrieving.Sasha makes it back to shore thank goodness and sticks with Mom.Lassen makes it back too with part of a stick.  I wonder who got the other end of the stick?At this point Lassen not being the most competitive guy takes a breather next to the soaking leash pile.Maisie on the other hand can’t get enough and goes back into the frigid waters.  She is determined to get the stick from Yolo.Yolo graciously allows Maisie to share the stick.  A Golden tradition.Until the whirlpool effect comes into play.  Will Maisie make it?I don’t know.Oh dear.

As I mentioned before, Maisie is determined to get the stick.  I think this is about when she decided to dunk and turn forwards.  She may have had to let go of the stick for one millisecond.That a girl….and boy.Sasha quietly sinks back in for a swim and poses for the camera.Puppy got wet.And wetter.

Adios Amigo’s

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Sasha’s First Trip to Tahoe.  Introduction to swimming from the pier.  The BIG pier.