Doggy paddle

Ben dog went for a swim today, we have a hydro therapy unit at the kennels, here in the village. Ben's back legs are becoming unsteady, he is thirteen now, and Flora his owner is hoping the excercise will help his muscle tone. I have noticed his gradual slowing down in the four years I have been walking him, we don't do hills any more, just a steady plod and a sniff about. Here he is getting his life jacket on. This is the fourth session of a course of ten weekly visits.

He was a little bit nervous on the approach down the ramp into the water, but Jimmy coaxed him gently in. When he first came he only had three, one minute swims, now he has three two and a half minute swims, with a rest in between each one. Jimmy is constantly massaging his back legs under the water.

After the first swim he was panting a bit, but after a rest he soon started to relax and enjoy it. I hadn't noticed that my camera lens had steamed up, apologies for the misty photo's.

Now it's time to get out and he rests for a few minutes on the ramp, all the time Jimmy is reassuring him with a lot of, 'Good Boys'.

At the top of the ramp his back end collapses in a heap because of all the extra weight he is carrying with his coat full of water.

He waits for a few minutes before he descends the second ramp to the drying area. Off with the life jacket and a rinse down before the shampoo and conditioner is applied. More rinsing and on with the hairdryer, he also has a good brush to removed the matted fur.

He was so good throughout the whole operation. I took him home in my car because it was pouring with rain. The weather was too miserable to take a photo of the finished article, so here is one I took earlier. Last year on a walk across the fields. Isn't he gorgeous, I love him to bits.