Initiation

The Painting Ponies that I live with are a special breed (according to my mom). They are all Chincoteague Ponies, which means they were either born wild on Assateague Island in Virginia or they are related to the wild ponies from the island. My best pony friend Minnow was born wild on Assateague 18 years ago – how cool is that – technically I’m friends with a wild animal! Mom says Boomerang and Blitz are not directly from the island, but their parents are.

Since I learned that to get off the island, Minnow had to join in on the annual Pony Swim, I decided that Blitz and Boomerang should probably learn to swim too. It was time for initiation!

I of course watched safely from the sidelines.

Blitz and Boomerang are on the left, and my other pony friend Jet is on the right. Jet is not a Chincoteague Pony so she was exempt from initiation, but chose to participate – well, because she’s an overachiever.

The ponies we’re just taking too long to get to the swimming part, so I had to send in my assistant to get them moving.

It’s Super Trooper, assistant swim coach!

I like to make Trooper think he’s important.

And we have a swimmer! Boomerang has passed initiation! Now he can call himself a real Chincoteague Pony. I’m like the best swim coach ever!

There should be a trophy for that or something!

 

 

Over the River and Through the Woods…

Except this time I wasn’t going to grandma’s house! No, instead me and Trooper loaded into the family car and headed to the Pocono Mountains – to the family cabin!

Of course the first thing I did when I got there was run around like a maniac. Wouldn’t you?

After a few good laps, the next logical thing was to find dig a hole.

Only, I got a little carried away in my hole digging (I might need therapy) and before I knew it – I was stuck!

Don’t worry, everyone eventually dug me out – and mom reached in and pulled me to safety. I was a little muddy and tired – but that didn’t stop me from getting back in the hole TWO MORE TIMES (each complete with their own rescue mission). hehe.

Apparently after the third rescue everyone was getting a little tired of saving me (although I thought it was a blast) so I had to sit in time out in the cabin while mom barricaded the holes under the shed.

I promised not to do it again, so mom finally forgave me and let me outside to play with Trooper.

Look at me mom! I’m just like a dolphin!

And of course we HAD to take the row boat out onto the pond.

And to no one’s surprise, Trooper fell out within the first few minutes. I told him he should have worn a life vest (he sucks at swimming – even for a half Labrador).

So I gave Trooper a few pointers, and he actually started looking pretty good.

1..2..3..stroke. 1..2..3..stroke. 1..2..3..stroke.

I said use the towel Trooper!!

I think I see a tadpole!

After our boat ride I decided to give Trooper some more swimming lessons. “I said 10 more laps Trooper!”

Oh brother, he’s learned nothing!

This is just totally embarrassing for him. It’s the attack of the “Labra-dud” (you know, because he can’t swim). hehe.

Well, even though I got to run and play at the cabin while everyone else did “spring cleaning” – it was still an exhausting day!

This was fun and all, but when are we going home? There is a dog bed at my house that is calling my name!