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last year was our first with Audrey, and we made sure she had an assigned bodyguard at all times when we were outside. She still jumped into the pool 3 times, and every time she sank like a stone. She always jumped in when someone was in there playing volleyball, no surprise cause balls are her favorite things in he world. So we got her a life vest. If no one is in the pool playing volleyball she isn't really interested in it, but if there people in it we will make her wear her life vest. She has her own kiddie pool that she truly LOVES that we put next to the big pool. We can't fence off the pool anymore than it is, and the deck is TOO HOT to keep her on. She is NEVER outside alone, not even for a second. We treat her just like we did our babies and toddlers, absolutely NO unsurpervised outside time.

Cathy
when she first came home

I get pretty nervous when Audrey gets excited around the pool too, but you just gave a very important reminder that it has to be taken seriously at all times. I am sorry you lost your baby that way, that's so sad.

Cathy
when she first came home

I lost my sweet Honeybear to drowning in a neighbors unfenced pool when we lived out in the county (loose enforcement of fencing laws) and then we ended up buying this house with a large pool that does have a fence 6ft around it, but the shortest way from the dogroom/garage/car to the back door of the house is across the pool area. So, I taught my dogs very early on that they had to walk across that part of the property on leash and if they even LOOKED at the water, I gave a loud grunt...UH,UH!!! and they would steer clear of the edges. This has worked for many years when I had only one dog with access to the pool/patio area. When I had two dogs out there, one sometimes ended up in the water (bitches fighting) and after I pulled Suzy out of the water twice, I placed her with a friend where she was the only dog=SAFE LIFE FOR HER TAKING PRECEDENTS. Now, with my one remaining bully who is too old/weak to even get more than 3 steps from the back door, I don't worry about her being interested in the water...but if I get a new dog someday, I'll have to train it too to stay away from the water as if it were poison! Not the best solution, I admit, but since its against the law to fill in the pool in this community (hubby has said he wouldn't mind doing this!) we have to deal with the problems as they exist now. Next house may not have a pool. I'm sure many have heard the expression that "a pool is a hole in the ground that you throw money into" and its sarcastic but true.

My yard is too small to fence off the pool, so my dogs are out there only under supervision. I've taken them in with me so that they can learn what poor swimmers they are. They've learned that they don't like it, and have no desire to go in. They give the pool a wide berth which makes me more comfortable.

However, when we have parties or when there is a lot of splashing going on, they are kept in the house because Chopper thinks he needs to rescue them. I don't use life vests because I don't want them to think that they can swim...plus it's simply too hot here in the summer to wear them.

:^ )

and what she thinks about it:


she likes to stand on the top step with me next to her, but she won't venture off it for nothing or nobody. Maybe the times she jumped in and sank taught her not to like it too much.... don't know but I am still scared she'll go after a ball, she just gets crazy when there is a ball involved.

Cathy
when she first came home

I don't have one, but have heard the heartbreaking stories of a bully drowning. My motto is always better safe than sorry!

Georgia is a doll by the way!

Meaty LOVES all pools!!! This is his baby pool for wading......!!! These are GREAT for a safe cool-off!

As far as our big pool, he wears this life jacket (from PetSmart), and we hold him the whole time (of course!)
since they say bullies "swim like BRICKS"....he LOVES LOVES LOVES the pool and will paddle furiously!
It's GREAT exercise, and he has a blast! We'll let go just for a few SECONDS, and he paddles on his own,
but then we grab the hooks on the life jacket to keep him afloat.


Note the very sturdy handle on his life jacket---perfect for holding onto him!


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Toby is only around our pool when someone is using it. And even then I don't like him out there. He runs around and around the pool. I think he worries about the kids so he keeps an eye on them. I am afraid he will fall in and get hurt. Even if I am there to get him out, I worry it will be hard for me because he will sink like a rock and I am not that strong. Plus he could ingest water which could cause I don't know what problems.

He does have a life jacket but he gets so hot in it. We are in Texas so the heat is a problem. With all the running around the pool he does, I worry he will overheat, especially with the life jacket on.

It is really a worry for me! Most of the time we leave him inside when we go swimming because of the reasons above. Of course he hates being left inside while we are outside, so sometimes he is out there, but I just worry a lot about it.

Janice

grassy area so the boys have a lot of yard but can't get to the pool area. We let them out there once in a while if we're there, but since there's not only a pool but a couple of sahauro's, we keep a good eye on them.

Kathy, Ollie and Chester