Some of you may know that I live with – what my friend Mango would call – a cracker human. It can be very trying living with a human like this, let me tell you. For example, remember my post with the video of her getting “human zoomies” and going nuts bouncing around the room to music, trying to get me to join in…when all I wanted to do was have a nice Sunday morning nap? 
Seriously, my human just does not seem to understand that Sunday mornings are for lazing around. She is always reading about animals in zoos having something called “stimulation and enrichment” and then wanting to ”enrich my life” because she’s worried that I might be bored just lying around and sleeping all day…hey, my life can be very rich in sleeping, thank you very much!
So instead of enjoying a nice nap in the sun today, I had to endure the horror and indignity of being dragged off to a doggie swimming pool! OK, so it’s supposed to be a “canine hydroptherapy pool” and sort of like a health spa for dogs – especially good for doggies who have been injured or have arthritis ‘coz it helps them exercise their muscles and joints without hurting them. I don’t have a pain or stiffness anywhere but my humans thought this would still be a good idea because of the Agility classes I have started doing and they are a bit worried about all the banging from the jumping and pressure on my joints from crouching to get into little chutes and tunnels…So Hsin-Yi was very excited when she heard about Club K9 - the first big indoor hydrotherapy pool in Auckland and couldn’t wait to take me there…
Yes, that’s all very well but it doesn’t change the fact that I have to get WET! 
Now, most of you will know that I’m definitely NOT a water dog – it’s taken me 5 years to work up the courage to wade into the sea at the beach. Yeah, I did manage to swim a bit the last few times I was out in the sea but only because I was trying to get my tennis ball – which my stupid humans had thrown so far out. I would certainly never go somewhere JUST for swimming! Eeeeuuww! Leave that to my Labrador and Retriever friends! 
But my humans tricked me – you see – they told me we were going somewhere new and fun…and by the time I realised, it was too late!
OK, I have to admit – after a while, I kinda started enjoying it. The water was lovely and warm (30 degrees Celsius) and the nice Hydroptherapy Lady there gave me lots of pats and helped me swim around and get back to the ramp – I knew she was always there holding me, so I wasn’t so scared. In fact, I even got so brave at the end that I decided to try a bit of dock-diving! 
So anyway, here is a movie of my 1st swimming lesson, if you want to see me in action! 
I heard my humans saying that they have booked another lesson for me soon – I think I’m actually looking forward to it! 
- Club K9 – Indoor Canine Hydrotherapy Pool
- Contact: Carolyn or Monique
- Address: 6a Puriri St, New Lynn, Auckland
- Phone: : 09 826 1101
- www.clubK9.co.nz
- (bookings required for pool)
[googlemaps http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=club+K9+auckland&sll=38.754083,-101.777344&sspn=28.322066,55.283203&ie=UTF8&cid=11292112355397710016&ll=-36.866438,174.704247&spn=0.131842,0.219727&z=12&iwloc=A&output=embed&w=640&h=480]
That movie was hard to watch! I can’t believe that you gave in. It looks like torture. I did like it when you jumped over the pool lady. I bet that gave her a start.
You were swimming in your sleep! I do that too.
I suppose the swimming pool is good for your joints and stuff especially if you are going to do agilities. But try not to do anything dorky like fetch a tennis ball in the water, OK?
Slobbers,
Mango
Honey, When you did that leap into the pool at the end, I was laughing so hard I cried! That was priceless!
I noticed how your humans laughed the entire time at you, even when you were completely miserable. How insensitive they are! You got back at them with those big splashes.
Good for you!
That was just a great way for me to start my day!
Wow -- Honey you are amazing! I can’t believe how well you did at swimming after not wanting to do it at all in the beginning! You were lucky -- at least your parents didn’t carry you out in to a lake and then drop you in and make you swim back! I think I would like swimming if I could go to your K9 club!
Now you are a dock diving dog! Is there anything you can’t do? Way to go!
Hey there Honey and Hsin-Yi
It took us over half an hour to download your amazing video, but it was REALLY worth it! We laughed with you, we waited in anticipation too and we clapped for you in the end. (Mom even had tears in her eyes).
Thank you for sharing your delight in Honey’s first swimming lesson with us all. Congratulations…you are a wonderful and an amazing team!
Lots of licks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA
whaaw good job
if was funny and that jumps !!
we are proude of you and hsin-yi
and that sleep swimming, we do that to
licks
El’bow and Hauwii
Oh wow, Honey, we loved your video. It looks like you were really enjoying it by the end. So funny seeing you just leap in.
What a cool pool!
Have a great Sunday…
Holly & Zac…XX
That was great! The narrative had me crying I was laughing so hard! And you enjoyed it so much you were swimming in your sleep.
Only bad thing is you had to have a bath afterward poor Honey. I wish we had a place like that around here. Jackal loves to swim, but I don’t like him going in ponds and stuff. He got a yeast infection the last time he went in one. I was out of my ear rinse. Thanks for sharing.
Oh and your comment on my blog made me feel better about when I do take breaks or skip days. For some reason I thought you trained everyday.
I try, but when I’m under a lot of stress (like when I lost my job) I don’t do any training lessons. And don’t feel bad about not training everyday. At least you walk most everyday. I’m bad about not going for walks. 
You are great, Honey! We pitied you that you’ve been tricked going to that place. Though, at first, you seemed so afraid to get into the water but you did conquer your fear at the end. You were so brave to make those dives. That’s the way to go, Honey!!
Your video had Mom laughing very hard! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself a little bit. Your jumps were awesome! I like to swim sometimes but I much prefer laying on the top step of the pool :-p
Oh, Honey! Or…should I say “Flipper”? You were so BRAVE! I loved how you made the splashies and got your mom and the therapist wet! Hee hee hee! AND I loved it when you gave the therapist a smoochie. You’re such a sweet girl! Woo.
I don’t like getting my feety-feet wet, so I can relate. You are my inspiration in so many things now!
Luv,
DAve
Hi Honey and Hsin-Yi! You’re always trying new things! Great video! I loved watching you swimmimg, Honey! I´m so proud of you! You are the best!
xoxo
Thor
My wife bought Dennis some swimming lessons so that he doesn’t flail around like this when he goes in the water. He’s yet to take any of them — we’ll see how it works out!
That was AWESOME Honey! My mom wishes we had a hydrotherapy pool where we live, but I’m not so sure. She tried to get me into dock diving a couple years ago by jumping off the dock with me at the lake, but gave up after trying that a few times : )
I’m afraid now that she’s seen your video she might try again!
Jackson
What a great swimmer you r honey, definatly dock diving champion material. We are very lucky as we dont have one of those large things with water in it around for us doggies, so we have no worries there. Our mumsy thought your comments were great she laighed so much.
Look forward to your next adventure
Licks N Leans
Stripe N Nitro
Hi, Honey!
Good job! It looks pawesome and doing it on your own way… much better!
Were you having nightmares about swimming??
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
Excellent job Honey although we have to say that we think your humans are a bit off their rocker. Imagine subjecting you to that.
We’re glad we live in the tropics and can go to the beach whenever we want. That means our Mum can let us get slowly used to the water and start to swim when we want to.
You did a great job but we could tell you weren’t all that happy even with all the “good girls’” they were giving you.
Give them all a big splash next time!!
OH, and we also wanted to say we’re glad you can really swim because that tiny life jacket wasn’t going to do you much good!!
That was GREAT!
I’m not sure which I enjoyed more: your time in the water OR your khommentary!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Dear Honey,
You are so brave! I am really glad you enjoyed yourself and are going back again! I don’t think I could ever manage to enjoy that amount of water, even if it isn’t muddy. Thank goodness there is nothing like that where I live or I am sure I would be made to go as well. Mumma even makes the little hoomans go to a place like that every week, so she is very nasty too.
smooches,
Mr Darcy
That is SO cool Honey! We LOVED the video and you are such a brave girl! I am very impressed right now and can’t imagine the horror you must have been feeling at first. You are especially good at the dock diving!
Kisses,
Nala
My sisters Sasha and Jessie would have jumped right in the pool with you. I prefer to stay out of the water though unless mom absolutely insist on me coming in like if we need to walk across a creek in the woods. I stay right on her heels. You get to try out so many different things Honey, no one could ever say you lead a boring life.
Kali
Yay Honey! What fun that turned out to be! My Moose could probably benefit from that but the nearest facility is far away. Of course he loves water and we are surrounded by it but mostly it is not accessible to doggies. We need to try harder though!
We have been watching out for your package and will lett you know the moment it arrives!
Moose + Dana
Oh Honey, this is a great video, you did a really good job. It was so important for us to see this, becaus Paris must begin his therapy on the water resistance treadmill next week and we don’t know if he does ist…
we’ve tried to explain the “Herrchen” or “Herr CHEN” in a comment to our post “Happy days are here again”, once more here:
Herr CHEN is only a smart wordplay. “Herr” is the english word for “mister” and means the male dog owner. But in German we mostly say “Herrchen”, this is the diminutive of “Herr”.
And if you write “Herr” and “Chen” it seems that the name of the dog owner is CHEN (e.g. in German we say “Herr Cohen” = Mister Cohen). The same would be “Frau CHEN” instead of “Frauchen”, it means the female dog owner (“Mrs CHEN”)
Anyway, Herrchen alias Herr CHEN its me!
I think this is really hard to understand for you, because many German speaking people would not understand this wordplay when they first read (!) it. If you hear it there is nearly no difference between “Herrchen” and “Herr CHEN”
Hope you understand or perhaps can somebody who understands try to explain it in better english?
best regards Johannes
hi, we again: our post means: our female dog owner (Frauchen) is in Greece for one week (she will return today) and I was allone with the boys
cordially Johannes
Honey, how could they do that to you! I hate getting wet and the idea of a pool -- baths are difficult enough for me to endure!
Well done to you and the video and commentary were great fun to watch (well for the humans here anyway). I found the whole video quite upsetting and whined along in sympathy.
Take care
Clive
WOW Honey, that looks like an awesome place. After seeing this, Mums gonna take me there to our own pool cos I love water but am so scared of other dogs so that’s where we are headed. And Bodie HATES water so I’ll get some quality time on my own. YAH.
GOO
Oh Honey!! you are doing great!!! I still remember the first time when my Mum&Dad chucked me in the water I was soooooo scared!! and they were laughing at me!!!! this happened when I was 4 month old!
But now I can really enjoy it! I LOVE swimming!! my Mum&Dad usually take me to Auckland Botanic Garden to swim twice a week. I will jump in even in the winter! Sometimes when they dont want to wash me they will try to keep me away from the water, but they never success! when they move their eye away I will go straight in the water!!!hahahahaha!
Summer is coming Honey! it is the best time to learn swimming!!! I hope I can go swim with you someday! I can introduce you to some of my swimming buddies!
Ruff Ruff,
Coffee
Oh Honey! I can’t beleive you had to wear a life-jacket! I have once of those too, but every time Momma puts it on I bite at it try to get it off. Stupid life jackets.
I can’t believe you kept going back in the water, you know that encourages your humans. They actually think we like swimming.
I really liked your cannonballs into the water, they were very good! Also, how come you didn’t drink the water? I would have.
Oh, Honey, you and your Mom always make everything look like so much fun. We wouldn’t like that pool at all but our Mom keeps saying she so wishes we had a Club K9 near us. Thanks for another round of great entertainment.
Woo Hoos for Honey, the OP Pack
Hi Honey & Hsin-Yi,
Oh my goodness I just saw your swimming lesson video and you sure look terrified Honey. Although being an older dog myself I would think that the warm water pool would feel lovely on your joints and bones!
I’m glad you came to like the pool and love the dock diving…too funny and you looked so cute swimming in your sleep afterwards. My mom says I do that alot myself and I haven’t even been swimming!
Great Video!
Kasha the Dane and her human Denise
WOW! Honey what a great job you did. I like to jump on mom just like that in our pool! I am glad you are starting to like swimming. mom is trying to teach me to go off the diving board but I don’t think tha is going to happen.
Have sweet dreams of catching Michael Phelps!
Love from
Bella
Well it doesnt sound too bad if the water wuz not cold or yukky! It is good to lern to swim jest in case you fall off a bote sum day. I does not reely know how to swim so I have a big flotey vest.
Yer pal Dozer
Hi Honey, we thought we would stop back and answer your questions. Can you believe Mom DID take us for a walk in the rain. I hate the rain but Thunder loves it. We got all wet and we didn’t smell too good, but Mom dried us well with a towel.
You asked about the knots in our leashes. A four foot leash is too short for us and a six foot is OK, but a bit long for Mom to feel like she has good control. AND our leather leashes seem to stretch over time. So Mom keeps tying knots in them -- she says they also serve as good grip points for her when she wants to rein us in closer to her. They do look pretty dumb, don’t they?
Play bows, Phantom
Wow!!! We can’t believe you enjoyed the water that much! You are much braver than us!
Our Meowm was chuckling at the video, but we could tell she was so excited for you when you jumped in all on your own!
We look forward to the next video!
And we have been inspired by you nad we posted a couple of videos.
OMG Honey!! You are so brave. I can’t get over it. I was close to tears watching the first part of the video… you were so scared. But then I was smiling because you so wanted to please your Mom and be a brave girl.
There is NO WAY I could ever do that. I am so afraid of the water. But it’s good that you’re doing it because of your agility and dancing. It’s good to keep your joints healthy.
Honeygirl, is there anything you can’t do?? You’re so talented and beautiful and sweet — You are my favourite dog!!!
Hsin-Yi and Honey (and the ever-present video cameraman, of course!),
This is one of your best posts ever! I laughed so much.
What I want to comment on is the level of trust shown by Honey. What a wonderful relationship you have.
Hi Honey
I have been referred to your website by Max and his Mommy Caryl Moll. I love reading your blogs.
I have two Danes -- Saxony Goody Gumdrops and Obi Wan Kenobi. Saxony is a confirmed ‘water dane’ and when there is any water -- you will find Saxony! It is wonderful to swim and very good for you so keep it up!
Lots of Gobbles
Margie
Aw, Honey, I don’t like water, either. You’re the only 4 footed person I know who’s taller than I am! Yes, some folks call me a dog, but I know I’m a person, too. Mom will be posting a new picture of me on Thursday! From Thor in Pennsylvania
Wow what a great job you did!! I am very impressed with your dock diving form =) You are definitely ready for the big leagues =)
Honey, I totally loved that video, though I didn’t pin you as the type to use HBO words! BOL! I loved it when you dove into the water almost straight into the instructor… HILARIOUS!
hope next time you have an even better time!
Honey you are amazing! How cool to conquer your fears, and how generous of your humans to take you to hydrotherapy. They are always thinking of you. And as a human with arthritis, I know how much swimming and exercising in a warm hydrotherapy helps relieve the aches and pains. It really does help, so I hope you get to go back there now you are enjoying it.
Hi Honey! It’s me again! I came over to say to Hsin-Yi that I totally agree which what you said about canine intelligence. I’ve taught human kids for over thirty-five years, and I know it’s a case of ‘use it or lose it’. If we don’t use our bodies and our brains, they don’t achieve their full potential.
I agree with what you said about not judging a dog by its breed -- in one way, we might have been lucky that when we got Penny we didn’t know her breed mix, so we didn’t have preconceived ideas.
Given that there is very little difference in DNA between dog breeds, I think it’s likely that every dog can achieve high levels of intelligence if it is given the chance. (But I do realise different breeds are predisposed to different types of intelligence -- like humans, who are intelligent in different ways.)
Oh, HONEY!! We is both soooo proud of woo! You looked furry scared at the beginning, but then how BRAVE you were to go off of the dock like that. We KNEW you could do it! We wish we had such a great place to go swimming all year ’round just for doggies!!
Oh--and we have to tell on mommee--she was laffing the whole time at woo, Honey! We are sorry our mommee is so rude.
Wuv,
Gus and Waldo
Hi Flipper -- erm we mean Honey! Oh wow! Seriously -- WOW! We always knew you were an action doggie (even though you always modestly play it down!) but this post was amazing. That video was brilliant -- absolutely brilliant! We did giggle -- your line about being a dane not a duck had us in stitches! You are so brave -- we could tell you weren’t too keen at first but you did seem to be getting to quite like it by the end. Goodness, we wish we had something like this near us because we’d love to give it a go too!
Schanuzer snuggles -- your biggest little fans -- JD and Max.
love this video! if only there were someplace like that we could take darwin to! tho i dont think shed be such a good sport about it!
Dear Honey and Hsin-Yi,
We thought you two gals might enjoy this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP0ogCn7f2I
its old fashioned dawgy dancing!
smooches,
Mr Darcy
Oh I remember those days fondly -- it’s so exciting when they realize they can swim!
Ha ha ha ha…ha ha ha ha… This video clip of you is priceless! Hey Honey, job well done!
Apologies for taking such a long time to reply because we are so busy packing. We are leaving Holland this coming Sat so there’s a lot to do.
When are you guys planning to move? The cost of flying a dog is very expensive. It can be the price of a business class seat. Basically, some airlines offer 2 options then again it all depends on the situation. Either you travel by Cargo or they check you in as extra baggage (which can cost like an estimation of say 30USD per KG. Different destinations, different quotes so you will have to find out the price either from the agent or by checking out the airline website). Usually, we get an agent to make all the arrangements to avoid the stressful paperworks. You can also do everything by yourself but be careful not to miss out any single document, you wouldn’t like to stuck in some foreign country or be quarantine unnecessary if you are missing one document.
Also, dependin on which country you are heading vaccination against rabies is a must. In some countries, blood test are required and might take about 6 months for the results to show and then they’ll allow you to travel. So, it’s a lot of time preparation.
Your crate must fit you properly i.e. you should be able to turn around and sit properly. You need to get use to the crate if you have not been exposed to it.
On the actual journey, my humans placed of their clothing such as socks, t-shirts or pillow case (for my comfort purposes), water and a couple of my favourite toys.
As for taking the photos of me getting loaded and unloaded, Missus was actually watching me from the viewing aisle (the point before you give your boarding pass). She was the last to board on the plane hence she managed to took some photos of me after the plan had landed. So, it’s not that difficult and also give your humans a piece of mind.
Anyway, I have to continue with my packing. Feel freee to drop me a line if you have any questions of taking a plane. Speak to you soon.
Love,
Homer
PS: Don’t they have a bigger life jacket for you? Hey, you can borrow those kiddy arm bands!!!!!!! Ha ha ha ha!
Honey, you did so well!! We watched the whole video and can’t stop saying ohhhhhh….. you were a bit scared in the beginning but what a challenge!!! I Pinot love water but it’s not for me, Momo. I totally understand how you felt….
Our cute friend Toffee is a Chiuagle.
We know her mom will be here in Toronto soon but not sure if Toffee will be here as well… hopefully she will!!
Momo & Pinot
Hi Honey, you make swimming sounds so fun that now LS wants to send me for one. Oh dear…
Hi Honey
You are such a brave, grown-up dog, learning to swim like that!
I can’t swim, myself, yet, but I’m looking forward to going to the beach with my human this summer, to try it. I’ve been practicing by jumping into the gutter when it’s full of water, just to keep my paw in.
My human says your swimming place is very near a giant frozen puddle she used to spend a lot of time at when she was a teenager puppy. Sounds cold to me.
Please blog about your next swimming experience, I want to learn some new techniques -- I’m definitely going to practice your entry style the next time it rains!
Puppy kisses
Sasha
You did awesome! Maybe some of our spaniel water-love will rub off on you. We’re OBSESSED! In fact, we’re not allowed to go to the dog beach because my folks are afraid that we’ll hit the water and just keep going.
Here’s a tasty tidbit -- DUCKS and GEESE and tasty birds live in the WATER!!!
Hi Honey,
Thanks for telling us about the hydrotherapy pool you tried out recently. Although our mum is very interested in it, our dad insists that walking can give us sufficient exercise and we can always dip in the bath if we want to warm our body. But, Mum says it will just take a while to convince our dad. She thinks that he will eventually give in
LOL!!!! Honey!!! Diving Dane!!! You really cracked me up! That video is simply hilarious! I am so happy to see you enjoying the pool! Way to go, Honey!
Hello Honey,
Your swimming lesson looked great, it was really awesome to see how you built your confindence up and was jumping in all on your own!!
My person (Laura) is going to be taking me there, which is quite exciting but scary at the same time as I am only young, but i think I need positive first introduction to swimming before we hit the lovely Auckland beachs this summer.
I love your web page, its given me plenty of idea’s of things to do when I get bigger. I’m already getting Laura (my person) to teach me how to read my commands! It’s VERY exciting
Looking forward to more adventures!!
Lexi and Laura
Amazing. Thanks for such a wonderful post.
Awww, Honey, I just LOVED watching this video! I can’t wait until MY first time in a pool — I wish my daddy would get the big pool ready already!
Happy Friday woofs & hugs,
~Bailey