A Small Havanese Stopped at the Pond and Had a Think
On the muddy bank of a pond, a single black and white Havanese puppy sits very still. His white chest is a little splashed with brown, his black ear hangs down by his cheek, and his gaze is fixed at something across the water. A terracotta pot lies on its side in the weeds behind him, and the water gleams with a green sheen.
Ponds are exciting, but they can be risky for small puppies. Banks can be slippery, the water can be deeper than it looks, and still water may carry bacteria or algae that are harmful to dogs. Keep a puppy on a leash near any water, do not let it drink from ponds, and talk to your vet if it ever swallows pond water or seems unwell afterward.
Havanese were bred as companions, not water dogs, so most will not be natural swimmers, and a small pup can tire quickly. If you want your dog to enjoy water, a shallow, clean kiddie pool is a safer way to start. Always stay close, and make water play a calm and positive experience with plenty of praise.
This pup, thankfully, appears to be an observer. He sits at a respectful distance, watching the ripples and thinking deep thoughts about whatever lives in there. If he decides to move at all, it will probably be backward, away from the mud and toward the nearest lap that happens to be waiting.
