Monday, July 4, 2011

4, 3 and 2 legged....It don't matter

 Today (July 4th) is also my buddy Triggers birthday so we decided we should go for a walk and a swim with our two-legged friends John and My Vickie.  The river is slowing down some from the flooding but unfortunatley MyVickie decided it was still to dangerous to swim in so we only got to look at it.
 We met my four-legged friend Ferrah from the Day Care and her two two-legged humans during the walk and that was kind of fun.  But still no swiming.
Just when we were almost done with our walk we met up with a really cool dude named Ben.  Ben was in a car accident when he was one year old.  (He is two now)  And he lost his leg.  I don't think he LOST his leg, but I think they meant he "Lost" his leg.  So now he is a three-legged dog.
 He challenged me in a swimming race to get the green toy.  I gave him a few feet of a head start, you know, cause he only has three legs and I didn't want to show him up too much.

Well, I was just plain not prepared for what happened next.  That boy just flew across the water.  I hadn't even turned around to see where the Throw had went.   Ben was already in the air and stretching out across the water to his goal.

 I just stood there looking.  I was stunned.  Stunned I say.  No dog has ever been better than me in water...Never ever....Yet here, this three-legged truly handsome lab was doing it....
 His swimming stroke was a little one sided (hee hee) but it didn't slow down momentum.  I am impressed.
Ben is truely remarkable.
 Hey Kudzu, you got some competition there.  At least in the swimming arena
So I didn't even try to swim....just came home humbled and greatful that I have been blessed with four good legs.  I admire my new friend Ben and my buddy Kudzu because they are so un-hindered by their handicap (human word).  Ben has become an excellent swimmer and runner and Kudzu the great therapy dog.

It was a hot day so I cooled off in my tub, not even caring that My Vickie was using it to wash one of the dog beds, (Thus the dirty yellow color) in fact, it was kind of cool cause I was quite comfortable laying shoulder deep in water on a nice wet bed.

I know My Vickie will take me swiming again real soon and I really hope I get to meet my friend Ben again, only this time.....I am gonna swim with him.....

Have a nice week everyone

Love
Bert

23 comments:

Leontien said...

WOW Ben can sure JUMP and SWIM AND FETCH!

Must have been a great day!

Thanks for sharing
Leontien

Boondocks Love Shack Pack said...

So Mom was in tears before she even got to the part about Kudzu. Since The Great Kudzu has only been with us just over a month and he is still so young, we are not yet sure of how much he can do physically. Our family loves swimming and has been wondering how Kudzu would fare in water. Seeing Ben was absolutely inspiring. Thanks for sharing him with us.

I'm off to give mom the tissue box.

AROOOOOF!
Boondocks and The Love Shack Pack

Amber-Mae said...

I don't think Ben even knows he is missing one leg! We doggies live in the moment. He probably thinks having 3 legs is normal! I have a kitty sister who is also 3-legged. Her name is Ginny Tripod. She too often does not realize she is missing one front leg & yet she keeps using it to whack other neighborhood cats & even us. Silly fat lard! Yes, she is pretty round.

24 Paws of Love said...

Hi! We recently discovered your blog and love what a great and wonderful working dog you have. He is amazing. We have given you an award if you would like to receive it.

http://www.24pawsoflove.com/2011/07/holy-cow.html

Whisppy said...

WOW weeee! Look at Ben go! What an amazing chap. Can't wait to see more pictures of you swimming with him real soon.

Anonymous said...

What a great outing Bert! That Ben was something awesome! :D Never heard of putting your bed in the pool before ;) Ultimutt comfort eh? :D

Waggin at ya,
Roo

Molly the Airedale said...

Ben is amazing! Good for him - he knows how to live life!
Happy birthday to Trigger!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

How cool that you met a canine version of Michael Phelps!! Pups like Ben really are an inspiration and teach us all about overcoming obstacles, don't they?

Finn said...

Look at Ben leap into the water! What a great dog! Looks like you had a nice time!!

Scooter said...

Hey Bert!
Wow, that Ben is amazing! He's really an inspiration and he'd probably out swimmie me too! Love that leaping pix!! I like your pool. I think the bed in there is a great idea!
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP

Cowspotdog said...

Nope - it doesn't matter at all. We don't like to call them handi-capped though - we think they are just like our brave soldiers - wounded warriors !

Suka said...

hey Bert,

What a great post! Ben seems like a pawsome new friend, and he sure is handsome! Ben is very inspiring! And such great photos of him, especially leaping into the water. Very cool!

You look so cute in your tub. I am glad you had a way to cool down after a fun day!

Suka

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Wow, Ben is amazing - he is an inspiration!!! Hope you and he get to swim together soon. But we understand your Vicky wanting to take good care of you with that river.

Hope you have a great week.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Pia said...

hello bert!
nice to "meet" you too!
i think you are very cute!
hope you are doing fine and i am looking forward to seeing you soon on my blog again.

sending you a lot of dachshund kisses

ps: i like your name very much!

Curt Rogers said...

I think you could market and sell that idea, a water bed for dogs. Brilliant! Only a Golden to come up with something so perfect!

Droopy, Smiley, and Kayah said...

Happy Birthday Trigger!

There's a special rescue in New Orleans that takes care of special dogs like Ben. Momma's worked with them a few times and we are always amazed at the stories momma tells us when she comes home.

Hope the river quiets down soon so you can go swim.

Slobbers,
The CheeseHounds

Tucker The Crestie said...

Looks like you had a great day, Bert!

Elaine Pritchard said...

Ben is an inspiration!!

Love and licks, Winnie

Sagira said...

Sounds like you had a great time.

Wow, Ben is a super cool dog! He looks like he might be part Weimaraner. :)

NCmountainwoman said...

Great multi-tasking. Cleaning the bed and cooling off at the same time. I hope you stomped your feet on the bed to help get it clean.

I love your three-legged friend.

Mariana said...

Hi Bert!
nice post!!
Ben really don't need that fourth leg! I would LOVE to see him in action!

rottrover said...

Loved meeting Mr. Ben. Hope you see him again soon! And yes, the bed-in-pool idea -- SCORE!!

-Gizmo, Bart and Ruby

Just Ramblin' said...

Amazing the abilities we disover we have when we think we may actually have 'lost' something. : )