Holly’s First Trip to the Dog Park

Image: photo of golden retriever sitting in the sun panting.

With her friends Quince

Image: photo of coon hound mix, sitting in the sun.

and Mocho

Image: photo of muddy havanese dog with tennis ball in his mouth.

And my attempts to coax her to swim. (Thanks for the photos, Cara!)

“Come, Holly! Come on! Here! Give it a try.”

Image: photo of woman in yellow fleece and khaki shorts standing in a pond trying to coax a golden retriever into the water.

“Aw, geez. You’re a retriever for Pete’s sake.”

Image: photo of woman in yellow fleece and khaki shorts standing in water with her arms outstretched.

“See: all these other dogs like the water! [And the treats I was trying to bribe you with.]”

Image: photo of woman in yellow fleece and khaki shorts standing in water, surrounded by a large grey great dane, a smaller golden-doodle, and the coon hound; the golden retriever watches from the shore.

“Let’s try this pond . . . and a leash.”

Image: photo of woman in yellow fleece and khaki shorts standing in water holding the leash of a golden retreiver, attempting to urge the dog to come in the water.

“Good dog!”

Image: photo of woman in yellow fleece and khaki shorts standing in water now up to her knees, coaxing the golden retriever to come in up to her haunches. The havanese happily swims in the lower part of the photo.