Back to James Farm!

Yesterday evening, we took Dean Dog and Bandit back down to the James Farm Ecological Preserve.

I am well aware of the fact that it might be the last time Dean will ever do this.  His back legs are getting weaker.  I could see a very big difference in his ability to use them now compared to our trip last October.

So, even though it was a little bit of a stretch for him, it meant a lot to me to go with him for one last hike and swim at this particular place, where we have had so much fun together for so many years.  And yes, there is a very slight possibility he will go there again, but ... really, I seriously doubt it.

He was excited to go, of course, and although he hiked slowly, he had no trouble.

The tide was out .... waaaaay out!  So, we all had quite a walk out to get to where Dean Dog and Bandit could actually swim!

 

 

At first Dean looked a little confused - like he was not quite sure how to get himself going!  But, Ben helped him "shove off" and after that he swam and swam and swam!

His back legs were not working properly, but he is still the strongest swimming dog I have ever seen!  He managed very nicely using mostly his front legs.

We had forgotten Bandit's life jacket, but he swam anyway!!  He did better when he had it, but he did very very well in spite of the fact that he did not have it.

Some photos from their swim:

 

 And some photos from the hike back:

All in all, it was a wonderful time.  Bittersweet.  But, a memory that I will treasure always.