Floods are Bad...... Unless You're a Labrador Retriever

Flooding is once again widespread in Tennessee.  Most of the severe flooding is west of us, near the Mississippi River, but we have seen some flooding in our area.  The "experts" are closely monitoring the Cumberland River in Clarksville as it inches dangerously close to flooding the areas closest to the riverfront.  Having witnessed the devastation in Nashville last year during its May flood, my heart goes out to all who are facing this disaster.

We have a couple of acres behind our house that drain down to a creek that is currently backed up.  So, we have a small 'lake' that has appeared behind our house right now.  This small lake might be worrysome to adults, but not to a 2 year old child and his labrador, who have thoroughly enjoyed splashing in their new found gigantic 'puddle.' 

This is our town's cute little park.  The severe storms of the last couple of weeks took down numerous large oaks in the park, crushing one of the play structures.  Then, the floods came.   The entire playground area is now underwater.

Look carefully - there's a jungle gym under the tree in the picture below.

Friday afternoon, Robert convinced his Daddy to take a study break so that they could go down to the park and let Anna swim in the water.  And swim she did!  Our busy schedule has meant Anna, who lives for retrieving, has gotten very little 'action' in the last year or so -- not even a single duck hunt this winter!  So, she was beyond excited to get a chance to do what she does best: Retrieve!

Robert really loves getting to send Anna on a retrieve.  The handler will sometimes (depending on the situation - it's complicated, y'all) hold a hand above the dog's head before calling the dog's name to send her on the retrieve.  Robert's interpretation of this handling move is to "bonk" Anna on the head while calling her name.  He loves it!  And, so does she!  Even the bonking! ;-) 

You know you live in a small town when you're close enough to the park that you can hop on the 4-wheeler and ride down there, so that the dog can "air dry" on the short ride back to the house.  Here are the two handlers and their prize pupil before heading home.....

When we got home, Anna was pooped. 

And Robert took advantage of her tired state for an opportunity to climb on top of her for a while..... is there anything better than a boy and his dog?