Several days ago we noticed Samantha -- our blind girl who likes to drink from a running faucet -- had developed a new way to drink: feet first. After seeing her do this a few times (and of course I never had the camera ready) we realized this wasn't a fluke and for some reason, she really intended to drink with her feet in the bucket. It's not like the bucket's low on water and she's trying to reach for the bottom; usually, it's at least half full. Is this a way to cool off?
This afternoon, camera in hand, I captured the moment. In the photo above, she's planted her feet in the bucket; then, she contemplates for a second...
...before lowering her head and drinking:
She still likes drinking from the faucet. In fact, this morning when I was filling the bucket, she came over to drink from the stream of water. But there's apparently something about sticking your feet in the bucket that adds a certain je-ne-sais-quoi to the drinking experience. And yes, this new practice does mean more frequent bucket-cleaning and -filling, since we doubt the other dogs appreciate it as much as she does.
I can hardly wait to see what she comes up with next!
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What a great photo! My lab cross also likes to get into a rubber water tub I use in the summer for him...he will even sort of dig in the water with his front paws and splash it all over himself to cool down! I am now thinking of a kiddie pool for my dogs. They add such joy to our lives..thank you for all the work you do!!!
Posted by: Brenda | June 09, 2009 at 09:25 AM
I agree with several of the other posts, I think she's telling you she wants a wading pool. If the bucket were bigger, I bet she'd get in it! She's cooling it the best she can.
Hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | June 08, 2009 at 05:05 PM
I think I'll try the ice tea thing.
Posted by: Ev | June 06, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Maybe she's checking the quality of the water. Who better for the "job" than a lab?
Keep up the creativity girl. It's adorable!
Posted by: boundforglory | June 06, 2009 at 12:40 PM
She is truly a character. Always coming up with a new way to do things. It's wonderful she just makes her life so entertaining & supplies us all with some laughs. It a double way to enjoy the water, drink & cool off at the same time. Is it time for the wading pools? I remember a YouTube video with Callie in a wading pool. And, of course, she had her own unique way of enjoying it too.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | June 05, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Go figure. A lab who likes to stand in water!! Boy is she true to her breed or what! What a sweet heart.
It would be fun to take her and some of your other "water breed" dogs swimming. Especially on those hot days. You would get some great photo shots, a few laughs and you could get cooled off to by a few free sprinkles from the dogs as they shake off the excess H2O.
Posted by: Ev | June 05, 2009 at 12:29 PM
I think it is a Lab thing. ;)
Posted by: Amy A | June 05, 2009 at 11:11 AM
What a cutie that Samantha is! Life is what you make it.
On a serious note, I've heard the recommendation that it is an excellent way to cool off dogs, who may be experiencing heat distress- through cooling the pads of their feet. But this is not Samantha's case, :)
ps: I can imagine she might REALLY enjoy a little wading pool if she's not too arthritic.
Posted by: Margaret | June 05, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Maybe she does this so the edge of the bucket runs across her chest instead of across her throat. I have two large dogs and two "short legs" and the smaller ones prefer to drink out of the smaller water dish.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | June 05, 2009 at 08:19 AM
I love Sam. I grabbed a photo from her page (of the three it is the picture on the left) and set it as my desktop. I smile every time I see it!
Posted by: Lynne Parker | June 05, 2009 at 08:05 AM
It's full-body experience this way.
(Maybe it helps her know exactly where the bucket is and that it won't move.)
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | June 05, 2009 at 07:50 AM
That's our girl with such personality--what a real sweetheart!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | June 04, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Inspired by Samantha, I tried sticking my toe in my ice tea at dinner, but somehow it just didn't work for me ;-)
Posted by: Vickie | June 04, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Oh goody!! Pictures of one of my favorites!! Isn't she gorgeous? I wonder if she'd like one of those kiddie wading pools???
Sam's portrait on the cover of your last newsletter is truly a wonderful shot. And it was nice to read her bio, now complete with answers to the nagging questions of why someone would "abandon" such a beautiful, sweet animal.
How's Mr. Moose doing??
Posted by: Lynn | June 04, 2009 at 05:47 PM