Swimming poodle

I read a lot of books on dogs during my teens. I recall the books telling me that poodles are good swimmers and that their fur are usually clipped in such a way in order to protect their heart and vital organs in the cold water.

Domin swam for the first time in her life only after the age of 10. I do think animals are amazing. They are able to do so many things on instinct, without being taught at all.

She can swim but I don’t think she particularly enjoys it. When we brought her swimming in the sea, she would never dare to swim away from us. She would always want to be close to us and sometimes would try to cling onto us. When we brought her swimming in a pool, she would always want to get out of the pool and onto dry ground where we are.

Somehow, I feel she looks a little uncertain and scared when she’s in the water. She’s always relieved whenever we hold onto her or get her out of the water. Maybe she's too small, maybe she started a little too late or maybe it’s too tiring for her aging bones.

I would always laugh at this one particular sight whenever we bring her swimming - her legs would still be moving, as if she’s still in the water paddling away, even though we are already holding her out of the water.

Domin's jie-jie