A Dog's Life

One of the reasons we wanted a lake house was because it was a place we could vacation and relax with our two dogs.  They are a part of our family.  We like to go away with them.  We have rented Cape houses in the past that allow dogs but the beaches on the Cape don't allow dogs until the evenings.  So we would put them in the cool basement during the day and take them to the bike trail to rollerblade or to the beach to swim at night.  They had to remain on leash at the beach or we could be fined heavily.   It didn't feel like they were with us on vacation.  Plus we had to drive to the bike trail and drive to the beach so they weren't getting exercise on the way there either.   They need a lot of exercise and they love to swim.

They are labrador retrievers.   Our yellow lab is named Sadie and our black lab is named Nola.  Sadie is a purebred labrador retriever that we got from Excalibur labradors in Acushnet MA.  Nola is a black lab mix that we got from Lab Rescue.  She came from New Orleans.  Her name stands for New Orleans LouisianA.    They both love the water and swimming and being with us.  They are very content at the lake.  Plus if we go for a hike or a day trip we can usually bring them with us.

They both love playing tug a war with a good stick.  Sadie wakes up each morning to take a dip in the lake.  Nola is constantly searching for a stick or a ball to play fetch with.  She jumps in like she is "Super dog" and has no fears whatsoever about getting hurt.  Only cares about getting the ball or toy or stick or whatever anyone will throw for her.   They have quickly learned not to chase the bobbers that are constantly being cast into the lake by the girls and everyone else that likes to fish here.

They also know how to relax at the lake.  Once they've gotten enough exercise for the day they will just lounge around in the sun on the dock or in the yard.  Sadie's favorite place to lounge is under the hammock where she can still see us if we are floating in the water.  Nola will only relax if her toy is taken away from her first.  That dog can not relax if there is a chance she can play fetch!

Lindsay and Sadie's favorite hang out. 

Taking a cue from Grandpies that it's time to take a nap.  

We also love that our place is so dog friendly so that our family and friends can bring their dogs.  All of our renters have dogs too.  We know how much we enjoy having our dogs with us so we understand that others want to do the same.  It has been so much fun vacationing with all our friend's and families dogs.  Lots of firsts this year for the dogs too.  Boat rides, jumps (or pushes!) off docks, and swimming for hours in the lake.

Kona chilling with her boys. 

Zoey trying to boat with everyone. 

Nola going for a boat ride while Zoey swims nearby. 

Nola, Targhee, Finn and Sadie

Our two plus Finn.

Our two plus Cooper.  

Our two plus Summer.

Summer's first boat ride. 

We bought a perimeter fence and two collars to keep the dogs from running off and exploring the NH woods and from chasing the neighbors cat.  Trouble is Nola won't leave the porch when her collar is on.  Sadie for the most part likes to just hang with us.  Occasionally we catch her sneaking off if one of us isn't outside to keep an eye on her.  So many smells to explore!  We have a bell that we ring and have been giving them carrots (one of their favorite treats) when they come when they hear it.  Hoping to have our own "Pavlov's response" to get them to return quickly from their exploring.

At the end of the day the dogs are wiped and sleep well at night!  When we return home from the cottage they sleep for days.  They barely want to get up to walk around the neighborhood.  Ah, a dog's life!