Hi Kim

Wow, glad everything is ok....your herding dog is awesome.  After moving to Florida, my gsps would swim every day in the pool and loved it ........and it is great exercise.  As the dogs aged, I noticed the old gal would tire and have a hard time getting back to the steps, so we purchased a doggie life jacket.  She wore that jacket for two year and swam every day.  It is light weight and keeps them afloat.  After she tired, she would just lay in the water........almost like a lounge chair.  I have two of them now for emergency. I don't remember exactly where I purchased the life jacket, but they carry them now in most major pet stores and I am sure you can Google them online.  They are easy on and off......mine are bright yellow in color. 

Good luck

Barbara

  Just got home from a weekend at the lake. The first day there, my almost 13 yr old Gemmi decided to swim out after a bunch of ducks. No amount of calling her made any difference. Not sure if she is losing her hearing or it is just selective! I was beginning to panic when she was showing no sign of heading back, this is a big lake for boating and recreation.  I was really scared she would tire out and I wouldn't be able to get to her in time. She seemed to be kind of disoriented and not sure which way to go. I started to swim out when my little cattle dog mix, Tater, came to the rescue and swam out to her, circled around and brought her in! The rest of the weekend Gemmi spent on a flexi leash in the water! I am wondering if anyone has used a doggy life preserver and who makes the best one. She loves the water, would spend all day in it, but I have to keep her safe!! Thanks in advance,  Kim
 
 
Kim Cyrus
Fourwinds German Shorthaired Pointers and 1 Dingo

Hi Kim

Wow, glad everything is ok....your herding dog is awesome.  After moving to Florida, my gsps would swim every day in the pool and loved it ........and it is great exercise.  As the dogs aged, I noticed the old gal would tire and have a hard time getting back to the steps, so we purchased a doggie life jacket.  She wore that jacket for two year and swam every day.  It is light weight and keeps them afloat.  After she tired, she would just lay in the water........almost like a lounge chair.  I have two of them now for emergency. I don't remember exactly where I purchased the life jacket, but they carry them now in most major pet stores and I am sure you can Google them online.  They are easy on and off......mine are bright yellow in color. 

Good luck

Barbara

  Just got home from a weekend at the lake. The first day there, my almost 13 yr old Gemmi decided to swim out after a bunch of ducks. No amount of calling her made any difference. Not sure if she is losing her hearing or it is just selective! I was beginning to panic when she was showing no sign of heading back, this is a big lake for boating and recreation.  I was really scared she would tire out and I wouldn't be able to get to her in time. She seemed to be kind of disoriented and not sure which way to go. I started to swim out when my little cattle dog mix, Tater, came to the rescue and swam out to her, circled around and brought her in! The rest of the weekend Gemmi spent on a flexi leash in the water! I am wondering if anyone has used a doggy life preserver and who makes the best one. She loves the water, would spend all day in it, but I have to keep her safe!! Thanks in advance,  Kim
 
 
Kim Cyrus
Fourwinds German Shorthaired Pointers and 1 Dingo

Hi Kim

Wow, glad everything is ok....your herding dog is awesome.  After moving to Florida, my gsps would swim every day in the pool and loved it ........and it is great exercise.  As the dogs aged, I noticed the old gal would tire and have a hard time getting back to the steps, so we purchased a doggie life jacket.  She wore that jacket for two year and swam every day.  It is light weight and keeps them afloat.  After she tired, she would just lay in the water........almost like a lounge chair.  I have two of them now for emergency. I don't remember exactly where I purchased the life jacket, but they carry them now in most major pet stores and I am sure you can Google them online.  They are easy on and off......mine are bright yellow in color. 

Good luck

Barbara

  Just got home from a weekend at the lake. The first day there, my almost 13 yr old Gemmi decided to swim out after a bunch of ducks. No amount of calling her made any difference. Not sure if she is losing her hearing or it is just selective! I was beginning to panic when she was showing no sign of heading back, this is a big lake for boating and recreation.  I was really scared she would tire out and I wouldn't be able to get to her in time. She seemed to be kind of disoriented and not sure which way to go. I started to swim out when my little cattle dog mix, Tater, came to the rescue and swam out to her, circled around and brought her in! The rest of the weekend Gemmi spent on a flexi leash in the water! I am wondering if anyone has used a doggy life preserver and who makes the best one. She loves the water, would spend all day in it, but I have to keep her safe!! Thanks in advance,  Kim
 
 
Kim Cyrus
Fourwinds German Shorthaired Pointers and 1 Dingo