Ammo’s Lake School

Ammo's Lake School

It’s come to my attention that I may need to open my own Lake School. Until recently I didn’t realize how many dog’s I’ve mentored on their very first lake outing.

On the Lake with Friends // Ammo the Dachshund

First there was Shilah, who I introduced to the water and her first paddleboarding experience.

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

Then there was Maya, who had her first dip and also took to the paddle board under my supervision.

Ammo's Lake School

And then there was Hank! The latest victim trainee in Ammo’s Lake School.

Ammo's Lake School

Being that Hank is a Miniature GoldenDoodle (Golden Retriever/Poodle Mix), it didn’t take much convincing for me to get him into the water.

Ammo's Lake School

Just in case though I coached from the sidelines, ready to swim Hank to safety if need be.

Ammo's Lake School

Thankfully he was a natural!

Ammo's Lake School

Although when he emerged it became apparent that there really wasn’t much dog hiding under all that fur!

Ammo's Lake School

So I did what any good dog would do, I let him borrow one of my life vests*! No drowning dogs on my watch!

*affiliate link

Ammo's Lake School

Swimming was one thing, but the true test of a lake dog is the boating. So we took to the docks for a boat adventure. Hank passed test number one with flying colors, making friends with the boat shop crew.

Ammo's Lake School

I led the expedition (as always) and things were going swimmingly for my pal Hank.

Ammo's Lake School

And after a dip overboard to cool off….

Ammo's Lake School

….Hank was officially a Lake Dog just like me!

Since Hank made my job super easy and passed my rigorous training with ease, it made it possible for me to divert my attention to victim trainee #2 of the day…

Ammo's Lake School

*affiliate link

….Baby P!

After we mastered wearing the uncomfortable but necessary life vest* (thanks to some helpful cheerios that mom packed), I am happy to report that Baby P also mastered my Lake School and survived her very first boating adventure. (with very minimal crying I might add). Although she still has a ways to go in the doggie paddle department, but we’ll get there!

So what do you think, should I open up my own Lake School? Likely we’d need sailor hats (and a captain hat for me) with really cool logos. Good thing I know a great graphic designer! 🙂 Ammo the Dachshund // Blog Signature // Celebrity

Little Ones On The Lake

Little Ones On The Lake

I bet you can tell by my excited zoomies here that I recently got to go on a lake day adventure!

Little Ones On The Lake

And yes, I brought along my favorite little sidekick, Baby P! Of course she met the lake and powered right in (girl after my own heart)!

Little Ones On The Lake

In fact, she acted like the cold water didn’t even bother her!

Little Ones On The Lake

I was slightly worried she might just start swimming away…..without me!

Little Ones On The Lake

So I had to jump in too. Just so she knew I wasn’t a total wimp.

Little Ones On The Lake

After my fun in the lake I met a new friend. I was so excited to play with him I could hardly wait.

Little Ones On The Lake

Only neither of us could get it together properly and he ran one way and I ran the other way, and our fun playtime ended up with both of us confused and lost. Sigh.

Little Ones On The Lake

After all that fun in the lake I started to get a little chilly. My towel wasn’t quite doing the trick but that’s ok, because….

Little Ones On The Lake

…rolling on your back in the sun always fixes everything!

What’s your dog’s favorite thing about a lake day?Ammo the Dachshund // Blog Signature // Celebrity

When Dogs Go Stand Up Paddleboarding

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m no stranger to the lake, and one of my favorite warm-weather activities is to go Stand Up Paddleboarding (aka SUP) with my mom and dad. So over the weekend we hit up our favorite lake and boat rental – Marsh Creek Lake.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

I enjoy the paddleboard more than any of the other rentals (kayak, motorized rowboat, sailboat) because the paddleboard puts me the closest to the water – and I do in fact enjoy swimming when the water is just the right temperature.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Most of the time I end up taking a dive into the water when mom and dad drift too far apart. I think I channel my inner herding dog (thanks to my pal Trooper) and I worry a bit when my “pack” gets too far apart. So I’ll dive into the water and swim to dad to make sure he’s still ok.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

When we finally get further out on the lake it’s enjoyable just to lay around on the paddleboards and soak in the sun. After all summer is almost here – and I gotta work on my tan!

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

As much as attention as I tend to draw on the lake – you would think that it’s pretty rare to see dogs out on the water.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

But in actuality I tend to see quite a few dogs when I head out, like this pup Kahula, who’s owner has an awesome go-pro setup on their board and posts amazing instagram photos of their paddleboarding adventures.

So if you’re looking for a fun summertime activity to enjoy with your dog I highly recommend paddleboarding. You can check with your local boat rental to see if they allow dogs on their rentals (as I’ve found most do) and even if the paddle board isn’t for you there are lots of other rentable water vessels! Just make sure your pup wear’s it’s life vest! Mine is from my friends at KurgoAmmo the Dachshund

 

Marsh Creek Mother’s Day

Mother's Day at Marsh Creek // Ammo the Dachshund

Sunday was Mother’s Day, so Trooper and I packed up our moms (and our ponies) and headed to the Marsh Creek State Park so that everyone could have a fun day.

Mother's Day at Marsh Creek // Ammo the Dachshund

While our mom’s went on an afternoon ride with the ponies Trooper and I went frolicking through the grass.

Mother's Day at Marsh Creek // Ammo the Dachshund

As if the look on my face doesn’t give it away already, I’m absolutely in love with frolicking!

Mother's Day at Marsh Creek // Ammo the Dachshund

After our moms returned, Trooper and I hit the lake for a little dip.

Mother's Day at Marsh Creek // Ammo the Dachshund

The water was a bit too chilly for my liking, so I sent Trooper out to retrieve all of the items floating in the lake instead.

Mother's Day at Marsh Creek // Ammo the Dachshund

Thanks to me (and I guess Trooper), the lake is now stick free! Thank goodness!

Mother's Day at Marsh Creek // Ammo the Dachshund

As you can imagine our moms were pretty tired out after an eventful day, so I faked napping so that my mom could rest too. I’m sweet like that.

How was your mother’s day? Ammo the Dachshund

Captain

ammo the dachshund goes for a boat ride

After my graduation adventures on Sunday, when Monday rolled around and mom said we were going on an adventure – I took the car ride there as an excuse to catch up on my much needed napping.

ammo the dachshund goes for a boat ride

And it’s a good thing I got those extra Zzzz’s because I had to be captain of the ship!

ammo the dachshund goes for a boat ride

Ok well maybe technically it was more like a motor boat we rented from the Marsh Creek State Park for a few hours – but either way it required a lot of Captaining.

ammo the dachshund goes for a boat ride

My boat ride on this scorcher of a 90 degree day was the perfect thing to kick off the summer!

ammo the dachshund goes for a boat ride

I even took a few laps in the lake later on – and mom said next time perhaps we’ll rent some paddle boards so I can really get wet!

ammo the dachshund goes for a boat ride

With the wind in my ears, I knew there was only one more thing to start the summer right….

ammo the dachshund gets ice cream

….Ice cream!!!

ammo the dachshund gets ice cream

I even screamed enough that dad gave me a taste of his vanilla from Crazy Cones.

ammo the dachshund runs

And to wrap up my adventuresome memorial day weekend I played some soccer in the backyard with my cousins during a family cookout. It was the perfect way to end the weekend, although I’m pretty sure I’ll be sleeping for the next 48 hours straight! 

Early Spring at the Lake

In Pennsylvania we’re having an early Spring this year. Even though today is the official first day of Spring, in the weeks leading up we’ve been having glorious 70 degree weather.

ammo the dachshund at the lake with ponies

I’m all about this warm weather, which is why yesterday I decided to take a trip with my ponies to Marsh Creek State Park.

ammo the dachshund at the lake with ponies

Blitz and Boomerang went for a little dip in the lake while I got to do some exploring.

ammo the dachshund at the lake with ponies

Did you know that it smells like fish at the lake? I don’t know about you, but I LOVE fish.

ammo the dachshund at the lake with ponies

Even though I really wanted to do some fishing, the water was a bit chilly for me.

ammo the dachshund at the lake with ponies

I didn’t catch any fish this time, but I did find a stick. Highlight of my day!

ammo the dachshund at the lake with ponies

I also found this neat rock.

ammo the dachshund at the lake with ponies

And then I got really brave, and actually took a dip in the lake!

ammo the dachshund at the lake with ponies

Next time I plan to bring a raft so I can float out just as far as the ponies can! And Boomerang promised me he’d learn how to use a fishing pole. I’m so excited!

Anyone else having an early Spring this year? Have you been on any Spring adventures yet? I’m already compiling my list of Summer activities that I want to do this year! Yipee! 

Water Warrior

I bet you thought the story ended with my boat ride on Tuesday afternoon at Marsh Creek State Park. Well that would be false, because after I left the docks – I had something else in mind.

Swimming!

I had fun practicing my dolphin swimming.

And then I played a game of fetch with Dad.

Which pretty quickly escalated into a game of chase.

Catch me if you can, sucker!

 

Initiation

The Painting Ponies that I live with are a special breed (according to my mom). They are all Chincoteague Ponies, which means they were either born wild on Assateague Island in Virginia or they are related to the wild ponies from the island. My best pony friend Minnow was born wild on Assateague 18 years ago – how cool is that – technically I’m friends with a wild animal! Mom says Boomerang and Blitz are not directly from the island, but their parents are.

Since I learned that to get off the island, Minnow had to join in on the annual Pony Swim, I decided that Blitz and Boomerang should probably learn to swim too. It was time for initiation!

I of course watched safely from the sidelines.

Blitz and Boomerang are on the left, and my other pony friend Jet is on the right. Jet is not a Chincoteague Pony so she was exempt from initiation, but chose to participate – well, because she’s an overachiever.

The ponies we’re just taking too long to get to the swimming part, so I had to send in my assistant to get them moving.

It’s Super Trooper, assistant swim coach!

I like to make Trooper think he’s important.

And we have a swimmer! Boomerang has passed initiation! Now he can call himself a real Chincoteague Pony. I’m like the best swim coach ever!

There should be a trophy for that or something!