I do love summer, especially at the cabin.  Seeing that Bruno is a lover of all things water, it’s no surprise that his July photos involve waiting to dock jump and dock jumping including some walking on water.  August and September saw the breakfast club, playing in the tennis courts and waiting for visitors.

Deck Scars

The deck by the top of the stair at the cabin is a place of great anticipation and excitement.  This is mixed with moments of extreme activity, as this is where dock jumping begins.  Dog claws on their initial launch down the stairs have scarred the wood.  Although many of these are from Bruno, I’m sure that Oliver, Kael and Eva have left their marks too.  I was framing up this details shot without Bruno in the photo, but he had to walk in and check what I was doing.  In my opinion the addition of his paws in the frame really make the picture.

Walking on Water

The following conversation happened 2 minutes before this photo …

Dave: Well Bruno, ready to go for a dock jump and a swim?
Bruno: Dock jumping sure. But, I think I’ll skip the swim.
Dave: You’ve lost me. I thought half the point of the dock jumping was the splash down and a swim at the end.
Bruno: Often yes. But I’ve been getting a bit of grief lately for the pungency of my wet dog smell. So I think I’ll stay dry.
Dave: I’m still lost. How on earth will you stay dry after a dock jump?
Bruno: Simple. I’ll just run across the water on my back two legs using my tail for counterbalance.
Dave: Really? And you think that will work?
Bruno: Yup. I saw a YouTube video of these juvenile Costa Rican basilisk lizard where they just get up to speed and run across the water.
Dave: You do realize that you’re built very differently from the basilisk lizards?
Bruno: Yup. I’ve got more hair on my toes. That extra surface area should make running across water even easier for me.
Dave: And the whole weight difference?
Bruno: Yup. I’m much heavier. But you’re forgetting something.
Dave: What’s that?
Bruno: I’m awesome at everything. Now get the camera ready, because this is going to be spectacular!

The truth is he flubbed the take off and this was an attempt at self correction before hitting the water. But in truth, I like the dogversation version of the events better.  And this may be one of my favorite photo that I have ever taken.

The Rare Dry Golden

Bruno being uncharacteristically patient waiting at the end of the dock for the first jump of the day. A dry golden on the dock looks magnificent, but very out of place.

Dave: Wow, would you look at that.
Bruno: I’d prefer if you throw my water toy instead of wasting time looking at dumb things.
Dave: What do you think I’m looking at?
Bruno: You know, stuff you humans waste time looking at. The weather, how much gas is left in a tank, random stuff on your phone.
Dave: Truth be told I was looking at you.
Bruno: Oh. Then I take back my comment about dumb things.
Dave: I was just marveling at the rare dry golden retriever sitting next to a large open body of water.
Bruno: Dude, I wouldn’t be dry if you would just throw my toy.
Dave: Yup. Don’t think I’ve ever seen one of those around here. It truly is a magnificent sight.
Bruno: Yup. I’m a one of a kind magical wonderful animal. Now if you throw the toy you can marvel at the sopping wet golden retriever swimming happily through the water.
Dave: Oh, boy. It sure is rare to see a dry one by the lake. Maybe I should take a photo to document this.
Bruno: Hey dude! You’ve got thumbs. Put them to better use than just holding the camera and start throwing the toy!

A Dog’s Breakfast

The breakfast club dogversation this morning was not that revealing.

Bruno: Num, Num, Num, Num
Agnes: Yum, Yum, Yum, Yum.
Eva: Munch, Munch, Munch.
Bruno: Num, Num
Agnes: Yum, Yum.
Eva: Munch.

The Tango

Bruno and Agnes having some fun in the wet tennis courts. I could have sworn that they were doing the tango. But Bruno thinks otherwise.

Dave: Awe Bruno, I never knew that you could tango.
Bruno: Nope. Not possible.
Dave: What do you mean? You’re prancing in perfect step with Agnes. Just like you’re doing the tango.
Bruno: Nope. I can’t tango.
Dave: Is it the lack of music?
Bruno: Nope. I bring my own rhythm.
Dave: Do you need a rose instead of a tennis ball in your mouth?
Bruno: Nope. I much prefer tennis balls. No thorns.
Dave: Then I can’t understand why you think you don’t tango.
Bruno: Dude, my coat is silky smooth. It’s frankly magnificent. All it does is flow in the wind. No tangles here.

Visitor Patrol

Bruno really is the centre of the world when we get visitors. Maybe its because he’s never met anyone who doesn’t love him, but he just loves everyone who comes over to the house. For anyone wondering why Eva is part of the conversation, look closely for the freckled leg behind Bruno.

Bruno: Man, I really hope we get visitors today. I love visitors.
Eva: Can you move over a bit? I can’t see past your giant melon.
Bruno: Oh boy, I do love visitors. And visitors love me. They just spend hours petting me and telling me how handsome I am.
Eva: If you can just move …
Bruno: Seriously Eva, would you quit interrupting me while I’m monologueing! I was saying something super important about visitors. Now I have to start over at the beginning.
Eva: If you moved over just a bit I could help you look.
Bruno: Seriously? How do you expect me to move over when I’m looking for visitors? Man, I really hope we get visitors today. I love visitors.