Playing Fetch

Years ago I threw a stick in a local pond to play fetch with my dog. He jumped in but quickly I realized he was having difficulty navigating sight and sound because he appeared to be lower in the water than any of my previous dogs.  We called to him and he was swimming in circles trying to pinpoint our voices. I panicked and jumped into the pond fully clothed to go get him. I continued calling his name and he took off swimming farther from shore.  I realized that although I was a good swimmer I was completely panicked and THIS is how people drown. I also realized I should stop shouting and remain quiet for his sake and the neighbors sake and my sake.

My husband was on shore and took off his  white straw hat and waved it. The dog spotted the hat and swam back to him. We were stupid again repeating this scenario but then I said we need a solution. 

We bought our dog a life jacket and he wore it in the water. We also used long leashes to guide him. He doesn't need the life jacket anymore. After years of swim practice he has developed swimming muscles and loves it but we still use an extra long leash to make sure we can guide him back to shore.