Stuart's kayak adventure

[BirdbyBird]

Herschel here....I got a full report from the GHL regarding the lake adventures of Stuart the kayak dog. She found out that she didn't have time to make a run down the river that day (that future trip goes to a well behaved Izzy dog ) so she headed off to Caesar Creek which is only about 20 minutes away and decided to take the Stuart, otherwise referred to as the impulsive wiggle butt dog. The only other time Stuart has been kayaking he was riding on a hard shell kayak and sitting on top of a spray skirt. He would stand on top of the bow of the kayak and then accidently on purpose slip off the front of the kayak and then proceed to swim around and try to figure if he could get back in without help...NOT He has a lot more room in the inflatable kayak but apparently he hasn't figured out how to sit quietly like me!

First he tried to climb on the front.


Then he started to get his sea legs and began enjoying the view. He noticed other people out on the water, kayaking.




He also found that he could perch well enough. Though it was a little slippery.



But then when Stuart would see something interesting...."birds, other kayakers, fisherman, hikers, fish feeding,...." the GHL would remind him that he needed to stay in the boat and he would sometimes have to come back and discuss it with her. As in "Look, look....water, water" He also wasn't sure that the back of the kayak might be more interesting than the front.



But then he would take some redirection and return to look out!





And the views from the kayak were beautiful





Use your imagination regarding how far over the edge a Stuart dog can lean without actually sliding in. He was observed leaning over far enough to get himself a drink of water. It seems GHL was too busy talking him back on deck to take pictures of that.



On the way back up the lake to the take outpoint the GHL was paddling against a little breeze and she finally gave the Stuart dog a "down stay" so that she could concentrate on forward movement rather than monitoring Stuart's fine art of bow balancing. Stuart gave up the "look out" position and settled in for the ride back. Don't be mislead by his appearance of innocence. One release word and he would be up and a second "Okay" and he would have been a very very wet dog. A happy dog...but a wet one.

But he did have a good time...GHL just needs to give him a down stay earlier in the voyage......well except she would have missed watching him enjoy the views so much

[VickieP]

Herschel it's very good of you to share Stuart's adventures with the GHL with all of us. We really do love all of you equally but we know you're special because you're allowed on the computer.

[mitch5252]

Herschel, you NEVER fail to make me laugh. Tell your Mom she's a hoot - an absolutely funny, smile-per-sentence - hoot!!!
I can't wait to meet you and make you love me instead of the competition...(I did NOT say Maggie...)
Please just don't try and sniff my butt...I HATE that. My Mommy says I'm not not social in that regard, but I don't see her sniffing HER friends' butts too often.

Love,
Abby

[Bethers]

Peaches here - saying Herschel, I'm not sure you're invited back in my home. You are doing too much playing with all the other ladies. But I'd love to have Stuart come visit (well, maybe, if Mom picks up my food and hides my chews - she let YOU have one of them). Stuart looks more like my kind of kayaker, one not to trust to do what told all the time

[BirdbyBird]

Aw come on Peaches.....at my house if something is on the floor it was meant to be shared.....I promise I will ask next time. I did enjoy hiking your trails. And I admire all independent woman, the kind that can explore and sniff out their own adventures. Now that Roe guy.....hes a handsome fella, too and he is a very experienced hiker and explorer also. I have observed that he has a calm and excepting manner about him also. I think we could all have fun. There are plenty of trails to hike, waters to swim and sticks chew for all of us! Let the fun begin!

[Liz]

Roe here....Herschel, tell the GHL that she took some great pictures. I would have really enjoyed that kayak ride too....especially with all that room in there. I'm not so sure about the "down-stay" part though.

[bluepinecones]

Herschel - You have got to stop giving my human such foolish ideas, like "down - stay". She is going to expect me to take silly orders and I just cannot stand that. On the other hand, maybe I'd get more adventures if I learned to obey a bit better. Just don't think I could over come the urge to jump in the water and splash every one/thing nearby.
PS - the GHL takes some good photos.
Nicky

[retiredhappy]

Sophie says; "Whats a down-stay?" I'd be good and at least stay in the kayak cause I really don't like getting my feet wet but I would be going back and forth to make sure my hooman didn't leave me in the last 10 seconds. My hooman expects me to go out in the WET grass in the mornings to do my business. Doesn't she know that I'm so sweet I'll melt?

Buddy and Sassy say: "You want to do what? I don't think so. Its not airconditioned and I might get wet. Are you crazy?

[avalen]

[OutandAbout]

Looks like Stuart had a good first kayak adventure. There should be more in his future. Great pics of the lake too. Linda