A day at the beach

Although, as you are all aware, we generally don't shy away from the challenge of bringing whichever crew of maladjusted, high-maintenance canines we have along on weekend adventures, every once in a while we just need the indulgence of a day with an easy dog.

So while we have her, we decided to go to the beach with just Collette. 

The thought of managing Lamar and Fozzie, challenging under any circumstances, on a beach with their cousin Genghis--whom they despise--was just too much to bear. 

But the couple of times we've had them together, Collette and Genghis--my sister's Akita--have had great chemistry. 

Yesterday was no different.  

My little tiny whippet-like "lab" shelter pup is not the least bit afraid of big, burly, rough-and-tumble Genghis. 

The huge, strong, fuzzy Genghis, who sends the musclebound Fozzie and the mighty Anatolian Lamar into fits of paranoid anxiety, is just a great big boy toy to my scrawny little foster pup. 

With perfect weather and a dog-friendly beach, not too crowded, it was great to let them enjoy some romping in the sand and water. 

If I'm really honest with myself, I'll admit that this was the first trip we've taken in a while on which I was really able to relax. 


With my sister, my niece, Florian the benevolent paterfamilias and his son, and just two dogs who got along and didn't run away, or lunge at other dogs, or make much of a fuss, I could just space out and enjoy the sun and the water.






I think I'd forgotten what that was like!


 
After a few hours, I was not the only one spacing out. Genghis was glad we brought that beach umbrella just for him. 













My sister is bummed that Collette is going back with her adoptive mom. 


I agree that it is wonderful to have an easy dog, and wonderful for Genghis and my little squirt to play so well. 

But I also know that the next foster dog will have something unique and beautiful about him or her, and the one after that too and the one after that, until we meet another one that for whatever reason ends up staying with us. 


Collette has a wonderful and loving home to go to, and our job is to take the ones who are not so easy and give them a chance. As relaxing as it is to take a little break, we know our mission won't be accomplished until we've rescued more.