Having increased abdominal strength I am sure has helped too. Swimming is so great because ALL our muscles can work. And the cardio workout can’t be beat.

As opposed to myself, who will float if I’m not supported by the bottom of the pool, most dogs have to swim to keep from going under. So they work very hard. In fact, we have to impose rest on some dogs who are really avid swimmers or endless retrievers. Some of the older dogs learn to paddle along slowly and methodically. They are fun to swim too.

I also just found out that Rigel the Bulldog who has been swimming with Mindy for several months lost not 4, but 9 pounds! Awesome and heart warming, except I think it is possible that I gained them LOL!

Swimmingly yours

Joyce

We have a great variety of dogs coming this week.

Bulldog, Pit Bull, Sheltie, Labs in a variety of colors, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Pugs, Aussies, Border Collies, All Americans, and the list goes on.

Some come because their owners don’t know if they can swim or not. Many of those keep coming because the conditioning is so good for them, the owners love seeing their dogs have such a great time. The dogs can also build such confidence.

A big lab who had TPLO walked in on three legs a few months ago. His owner and I were thrilled when he walked back to the car after his swim, using all 4 legs. He is still coming so that he can continue to build strength and endurance.

One little dog that came last fall is back again. She has a significant neurological problem that left her back legs pretty useless. She was terrified last fall because someone in a pool in another state had been pretty rough with her in the water. Although she benefited from the relaxation the water afforded her muscles, she didn’t paddle much. This year, watch out! She is growing in confidence every time she comes, proud as punch that she can paddle herself across the pool. Her cores strength is improving, and the hope is that over time, the anti gravity environment of the water will let her show us that she does have more  muscle function in  those back legs than she can currently use on dry land.

In many dogs [and people as well] it’s hard to see that muscles are working when the muscle isn’t strong enough to fight the power of gravity. It’s one of the wonderful things about water. It provides support, allows movement and than as the muscles get stronger, moving faster in the water provides resistance.

Other dogs in the pool this week are those  recovering from orthopedic surgeries, dogs with arthritis, hip displasia, spinal injuries, peripheral nerve injuries, obesity, and for just plain fun.

Our youngest ever dog in our pool was about 16 weeks. So far the oldest I think has been 17. One thing I hope will happen as the idea of indoor warm water swimming for dogs take hold in the greater Portland/Vancouver area is that people will bring their older dogs BEFORE they are showing difficulties getting up from the floor, up to the bed, onto the couch, etc. Just like in humans, non weight bearing exercise can be used as much for prevention as for cure.

TAFN

Keep yourselves and your K9 friends cool.