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.
Here's another of him on dry land (after his brave rescue).
Stacie
