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An older man in shorts and a fishing vest sits on a wooden dock with feet in the lake beside a smiling yellow Labrador. 23 / 40

A Water-Loving Lab, a Calm Lake, and Grandpa's Feet Already In

AI imagelabrador retrieverlakedock

The lake is glassy and calm, and Grandpa Gus has found the perfect cure for a warm afternoon. He sits at the edge of the weathered wooden dock in shorts, his feet dangling in the cool water and sending little ripples outward. He gazes over with a quiet smile at Sunny, who sits tall right beside him, ears soft and mouth open in a happy pant. Reeds and grasses line the shore, and in the distance, a few more docks and boathouses stretch out under the soft evening light.

Labradors are natural water dogs, but dock time still calls for a few precautions. Not every dog is a confident swimmer, and older Labs can tire faster than they realize, so a fitted canine life jacket is a smart idea for deep water or boat outings. Teach your dog a safe way in and out of the water, since climbing back onto a high dock can be difficult. Watch for blue-green algae, which can make still water look scummy or discolored and can be very dangerous for dogs. If you see warning signs posted or the water looks off, keep your dog out. After swimming, rinse your Lab's coat and dry the ears thoroughly, since this breed can be prone to ear infections.

Grandpa will probably keep his feet in a little longer. Sunny, meanwhile, looks perfectly content to stay dry for once, as long as she gets to sit right here with him.

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