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Newfoundlands => Newfoundland Discussions => : swells July 24, 2006, 08:00:28 AM

: Sully's First Water Rescue
: swells July 24, 2006, 08:00:28 AM
We took Sully to a local lake for some swimming this weekend. Usually I just wade out with him, but on this day I decided that I also needed a swim. My hubby (Dave) was playing with Sully in the shallow water (throwing his bumper on a line, untangling him then throwing it out again - one of Sully's favorite games) and he didn't notice me going out into the deeper water. I made a splash when I went under and when I came back up I saw Sully making a bee-line towards me. He swam behind me then started pushing me towards the shore. He also tried tugging at my shirt. When that didn't persuade me to head for shallow water he swam back to Dave, grabbed the bumper and line from his hands, then swam it back out to me and proceeded to pull me in.

I was so proud of him I had tears in my eyes. We are just starting his water training by just letting him get comfortable in the water. I never imagined that his instincts would take charge and save his mommy. I guess he was saying that he is ready to go to the next step of training.

On the same day, we also thought we would see if he would jump off the dock. Dave positioned himself at the end of the dock and I was in the water. I expected him to be hesitant about jumping, but he just plowed off the end of the dock like he had done it a million times.

I only wish I could have gotten pictures. I only had my digital with me and didn't want to get it wet. We will definately be investing in some underwater cameras so we won't miss this moment again.

This is the only pic I got of him retrieving his bumper.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/StacieK/BumperRetrieve.jpg)

Here's another of him on dry land (after his brave rescue).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/StacieK/WetHead.jpg)

Stacie
: Re: Sully's First Water Rescue
: Kiahpyr July 24, 2006, 08:02:48 AM
Way to go Sully!!!! We're so proud of you too!
: Re: Sully's First Water Rescue
: Jessdryden July 24, 2006, 08:06:59 AM
Yay Sully!  What a brave rescuer! :)
: Re: Sully's First Water Rescue
: EllieAndBlu July 24, 2006, 08:08:37 AM
Awesome job Sully! Sooooooo proud of you!
: Re: Sully's First Water Rescue
: newflvr July 24, 2006, 08:10:09 AM
Wow Sully!!  You are a better Newf than my two!! I just posted about Chester doing the saving, but neither he nor Cowboy would jump off the dock!  Nor would they use a line to get me!

I'm sure Sully will do fantastically well in water training!  We need a lot more work!!! ::) ::) ::)
: Re: Sully's First Water Rescue
: dober_gurl July 24, 2006, 10:36:27 AM
Awwww! Go Sully, you good boy!!!
: Re: Sully's First Water Rescue
: Gypsy Jazmine July 24, 2006, 01:17:50 PM
I think that is so very cool!...&, I want to add, OH MY GAWD!!...Sully is super way beyond darling!!
: Re: Sully's First Water Rescue
: shangrila July 24, 2006, 02:21:53 PM
good job sully :)
: Re: Sully's First Water Rescue
: zanie July 24, 2006, 02:52:06 PM
Hurray, Sully!  Way to swim with the big dogs!!!
: Re: Sully's First Water Rescue
: jabear July 24, 2006, 03:22:36 PM
Congratulation s Sully! You are going to make such a great rescue dog. I can't believe that he jumped off the dock either. You are really lucky because the big ol Bear is a scaredy cat and is afraid of heights.  :o
: Re: Sully's First Water Rescue
: galaxybears July 26, 2006, 08:04:49 AM
What a clever boy, sounds like he is going to be a natural water dog... Not like my three :D
: Re: Sully's First Water Rescue
: navarre1316 July 26, 2006, 09:01:43 AM
That's so cool!!  Way to go Sully!! ;)