Lake + Dog = Happy Day

At the rate I am going I am going to have everything done of my 25 Things List by next weekend, leaving me with nothing to do for the other 5 weeks Matt is gone.  On that end, we have just completed:

Take the Dog to Whisby Lake to mucky her up a bit

Unbeknownst to Lucy (the dog) and Maddie (the child), I had planned to do something fun today.  After the misery that was yesterday I needed to:

1. Be outdoors
2. Put a smile on everyone's face
3. Be outdoors
4. Get Lucy some hardcore off the lead running time
5. Be outdoors

Did I mention it was supposed to be almost 70 degrees (it was)! 

We packed up a bag with a picnic lunch and off we went.  Whisby Lake has about 9 walking trails which surround a maze of small lakes.  They are all dog friendly, however, we always choose the one where you can let dogs off the lead.  It is only about 1.5 miles around and has a fence around the perimiter so dogs can't stray too far.  Lucy absolutely loves it there.  The minute we let her off the lead she does 5 things in the exact same order:

1.  Runs ahead out of sight at a terminal velocity
2.  Dives into the shallow river to the right of the path
3.  Runs back up the slope onto the path and SHAKES the water off onto anyone standing next to her
4. Crosses over to the left and jumpes down a steep incline into the lake
5. Runs back up and takes a massive dump

These 5 things are usually repeated several times during the stroll with the occassional stop to:

1. Chase some swans
2. Sniff some prime dog butt
3. Roll around on the gravel and dirt path like a crazy dog covered in bees
4. 'Point' into the bushes (we are sure she was a hunting dog before we got her)

Today we had the extra bonus of meeting up with, quite frankly, one of the funniest dalmations I have ever seen who ran like a bucking bronco through the shallow water. The dog had about a 3 foot vertical and could practically jump over Lucy.  I am not sure of the physics involved in this, but it was fairly extraordiary to watch.  Lucy was perplexed by the thrashing and jumping and seemed game to try to join in, but got bored after 5 minutes and just wanted to play fetch.

2 hours, 257 ball throws, 1 swan, 26 butt sniffs, 3 poos, 1 picnic and an icecream later we headed back exhausted and happy.  Lucy is getting a grooming tomorrow she is so mucky, which means I can also cross another item off my list!