Labrador Retrievers Love Water

Did a little fishing today. Could have done much more but i had a dark object keep getting tangled up in my line. Yes, the dark object was none other than Gunner. I figured when I took him I wouldn't have much luck fishing and I was right. Knowing how much he, as well as all Labradors, LOVE water I came close to leaving him at home. It's been so hot lately I just couldn't stand to leave him in the back yard when he could be splashing in the lake.

When we got to the lake all I seen was a chocolate streak heading towards water, splashing, swimming, biting anything floating and having a grand 'ol time. I was cat fishing today so that means the line stays out in the water. Well, my first throw went sailing and splashed the water and so did Gunner right behind it. He was halfway out by the time I holler for him to get back. When he turned to come back to the bank.....right into the line he swam! He had fishing line tangled up all over him.

I untangled him and attempted another throw. This time I distracted him with a tree limb. I threw the limb one way and off he went so attempt #2 cast was a success! Everything was fine after that except for a few hollers to keep him from swimming in the line. Then about 1 hour later it happened again. Now I must say Gunner is 2 yrs old and has always obeyed me but I think he's got the terrible 2's syndrome. I casted my line unknowing he was lurking behind me. He dove head first when he saw the splash and I yelled for him to get back but he completely ignored me. By the time I got him turned around it was to late, tangled up again. To make matters worse he swam back through a big patch of moss that was in the lake. So, I had to untangle Gunner and the moss (which was very thick) I was so mad I gave up and went home.

I told my girlfriend when I got home the mischief Gunner had caused and I was not taking him fishing again. She said I was full of it, if I went tomorrow Gunner would be right beside me. She knows me to well cause she's probably right.

Labrador Hip Problems (update)

Ended up having to take Gunner to the vet. I went outside Friday morning and he couldn't even get up. It was a site I hope I never see again but know I probably will eventually. I went inside and called the vet to see if they could see him. I had to drop him off (which I absolutely hated to do) and they would work him in sometime during the day. I waited by the phone all day until I finally got the call he was ready to come home. After x-rays, office visit and medicine what turned out to be a sprain or twist cost me $159. If I would have gave it another day or two he probably would have been fine but that morning he couldn't get up was enough for me to take action. It was money well spent just to make sure my buddy was ok. Gunner did kinda piss me off a little the next day when he was running, jumping and very energetic. I just glad everything turned out ok. As I left the vet that day one of the techs told me not to let him be to active. I said laughing I'll try but that's gonna be a tough job.

Labrador Hip Problems

I have read quite a bit about how Labradors are prone to hip problems. Well, I was out side today and noticed Gunner wasn't being himself (running, jumping, wanting to play) so I looked him over real good. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until I noticed how he was walking. I quickly noticed something was wrong with his back end. I checked him over, running my hand over and lightly squeezing his back legs and hips, all the while thinking about how Labradors Retrievers are prone to hip problems. He showed no signs of pain but I know something isn't right. He can barley put weight on his right back leg, guess it's off to the vet in the morning if he doesn't show any improvement by morning. I'm hoping its nothing serious.