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December 2, 2015

The Penny Polar Plunge

During high summer, Lake Michigan temperatures are refreshing but quite brisk. As fall fades to winter the lake temperature plummets. At the dog beach this means the water quickly clears. First the small dogs, then the short haired dogs and finally even the thickest coated pups stick to the shore. Now
During high summer, Lake Michigan temperatures are refreshing but quite brisk. As fall fades to winter the lake temperature plummets. At the dog beach this means the water quickly clears. First the small dogs, then the short haired dogs and finally even the thickest coated pups stick to the shore. Now that we’re in December all the dogs keep well away from the nearly frozen water. All but one, of course. Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, montrose dog beach, chicago, puppy, adventure

Something is not right with Penny’s head. But I guess we knew that already.

I don’t throw sticks for her to fetch, there’s no dogs for her to chase, but for some reason Penny still feels compared to zoom across the frigid lake.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, montrose dog beach, chicago, puppy, adventure

It’s like she’s morally opposed to placid water and so takes it upon herself to displace as much of it as possible

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, montrose dog beach, chicago, puppy, adventure

My current theory is Penny must move so fast that it heats up the entire lake and makes it feel tropical to her

The water is unbearable to be in for a few seconds, but Penny happily spends a few minutes enjoying her one girl polar plunge club.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, montrose dog beach, chicago, puppy, adventure

And then the nutjob rockets towards us at full speed

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, montrose dog beach, chicago, puppy, adventure

Where Eko and I watch, half with bewilderment, half with the hope that Penny-popsicle won’t come and shake freezing water on us

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, montrose dog beach, chicago, puppy, adventure

I have a waterproof jacket… Eko? Not so much. So I get to laugh while he tries to evade being touched by the Ice Queen

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, montrose dog beach, chicago, puppy, adventure

“Keep those frozen paws off me!!”

We quickly make our way back to the car and I wrap my knucklehead in a towel. After she’s warmed up a bit, I run warm water for a shower.

At which point Penny starts whining and begging me not to subject her to such a cruel fate.

I do my best to understand my dogs. But sometimes I just shake my head, laugh and don’t even bother trying. Some things aren’t meant to be understood.

Comments for The Penny Polar Plunge

  1. Maybe she is one of that ice swimmers? the german open is in january, maybe Penny want’s to enter?

  2. Victoria says:

    i so love Eko’s response – run man run so she can’t get me wet and cold…..classic – and i love Penny’s crazy exuberance – how can you not – a definite adorable nutball – and what fun to live with for you and Emily and Eko and for us to watch!

  3. NM says:

    no wonder eko is pictured trying to suck out every bit of warmth from the sun while resting on that chair….must be after one of this morning workouts. That is funny.

  4. Connie Taylor says:

    Are you sure she is a pure-breed, and not mixed with Polar bear? She loves to shake things up a bit where ever she goes. Too cute

  5. Kismet says:

    Penny is unclear on the concept. Doing that is NOT going back to her roots in tropical Africa.

  6. fredrieka says:

    I would never do this in a trillion dog years

  7. Will, that is just too funny. Don’t ask me for an explanation lol!

    Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone that does whatever it pleases

  8. coastingnz says:

    she certainly keeps you (and us!?) on our toes

  9. dashlilly says:

    Hilarous!!! The doodles are quite the opposite of Penny — but only when it comes to the cold water. Dash has truly JUMPED out of the river if it is too cold. Lilly has done a little wimpy hop and held up her paws if she got cold! that Penny — she’s a goofball! but she’s terrific

  10. My daughter’s border collie mix, Zuma, intentionally jumps into the frozen Truckee River, breaks up the ice, and swims around looking for long lost sticks four times her size. All the while she is yipping and barking with glee. Aren’t border collies supposed to one of the most intelligent breeds? Neeka, and even water loving Khoi, don’t understand her.

  11. Audrey says:

    Penny is one in a million kind of pup, gotta give it to her that she knows how to live in JOY!!

  12. Emmadog says:

    I often take a dip in the water while it still has ice on it. I love it and don’t freeze either. Maybe it is a girl thing?

  13. I feel like Macy and Penny are distant (not so distant) cousins. Clearly they both have something wrong with them. *ear licks* Noodle

  14. dogdaz says:

    Great shots of the ice queen. Who knows why these knuckleheads do what they do.

  15. omg that was hilarious. Penny definitely marches to her own drummer….or Eskimo! lol

  16. Shes having a blast, you couldn’t keep my gang out of frozen water either.

  17. Dottie Wells says:

    Hey, Will, Eko, and Penny: It’s been a while, but I’m back. Sadly, I hate to report that Tuffy Cat passed away earlier this year, of pneumonia. He has really been missed a lot. I tried fostering a tiny (very tiny), yellow kitten. I was told that his name was “Flash”. I renamed him “Jumping Jack Flash”, and wow could that boy run… then take off… and ZOOM, Flash was airborne! It took me a while to learn to duck and yell incoming when he was in the immediate area. He’s a cute little guy, but very high energy (and I’m not). I did foster him again for a few days. It seems most people want older cats that aren’t so spastic.

    So, how are the kids getting along. I read about Penny’s need to be an Ice Queen. That is too funny. Most animals really hate the cold water, but she always was a little different. I guess Eko has to take her in tow now and then, but I doubt there’s not much hope of that.

    Did I hear right? Are you and Eko on the road again? I’ll try to catch up by reading some of your more recent posts. I just wanted to pop in and say hi to everyone.

    Happy New Year,
    Dottie

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