Well, nobody around here will go to the beach with me. They all seem to think it's just about swimming and if it's too cold there's no sense going. I can't make them understand that the beach is the beach for gawds sake -- it's the air, the sand, the waves, the sounds, the sun, the air.
I'm not quite sure why Clay doesn't get this, since we both grew up so close to the big lake. Probably it has something to do with driving 40 minutes to get there. Whatever his reason, I can only drag him there once or twice a year and that's when it's a warm summer.
During this season of coolish weather, I have been to the beach in Muskegon exactly twice, yesterday being one of them. (That's right, Muskegon. Pere Marquette Park is one of West Michigan's best kept secrets. Vast stretches of sugar sand beach and almost no people. Besides, I grew up there.) The first time I went by myself. Yesterday, not wanting to keep all that beach joy to myself, I took the dog with me.
I'd forgotten that Jenny's been to the big lake exactly once -- when she was a puppy -- and she was so scared she dug her feet into a spot yards away from the crashing waves and wouldn't budge. Dog memories must be pretty long, 'cause the minute she jumped out of the truck in the parking lot she started to get nervous.
The city of Muskegon has designated a portion of the old Bronson Park as a dog beach. Really cool of them -- almost progressive (did I say that?)! Yesterday the place was all but deserted by dogs and people. The sun was high and bright, waves at about a foot, breeze barely blowing, water just warm enough to get your feet wet. Unless you're Jenny. She strayed into a shore bound wave once by accident and wouldn't get near the water again. So while I walked the length of the beach with the waves washing up around my ankles, J Dog walked alongside me just far enough from the water's edge to stay dry.
To look at the photos, you wouldn't say she was afraid, really. She looks like she might even be having fun. For me, summer's last hurrah was beautiful relaxing fun spent on the beach with my dog for company. Even so, I'll probably stick to going by myself next summer.
Such a brave dog! I can’t imagine how nervously shaky Jenny was while you were walking her along the beach. You should help your dog conquer her fear, but don’t force her. It’ll take time. Dogs are silent companions; they are the best partners to be with when you just want to enjoy the serenity of the beach. You’re fortunate to have Jenny.
-Donna Parsley
Posted by: Donna Parsley | June 05, 2012 at 05:13 PM
Your dog has an enormous tongue!
She's so cute. Maybe if you take her again, she'll take a liking to the water. Then again, maybe not. Dogs can get set in their ways.
Posted by: Lori | September 21, 2004 at 10:37 AM