Day 411

Goldens, water and family...perfection! With our loved ones surrounding us, and five dogs blissfully underfoot, we have lost count when embracing our blessings!

It is possible that most canines love water, but Goldens are obsessed with it! Throw in a few tennis balls to retrieve, and you have a recipe for wet, joyful dogs! We started with the youngsters and, when they couldn't look another tennis ball in the face, traded the generations out.

Lilly and Ranger had been frantically watching from the picture windows and when it looked like they were going to be next, they could hardly contain themselves. Ranger was able to run, while Lilly took a more frustrating approach to the water (on a leash). After her back issue, we were not going to take any chances!

What is it about jumping into the air that brings such joy? Well, part of it was the fact that Jimmy waited with outstretched arms, but mostly it was a gleeful leap into the unknown.

People are not as apt to take such a jump. Whether it is jumping into water or leaping into an unknown future, we tend to hesitate and need a plan of action!

I tend to play it safe most of the time. However, when I have taken that leap into uncharted territories, it has always turned out to enrich my life. Planning, scheduling, researching and questioning a big life change has its merits, but...every once in a blue moon...it might behoove one to take a leap.

Not that I would choose to take a risk on a daily (or weekly) basis, but perhaps I should take a lesson from my Goldens and jump off the dock of living every now and then. It certainly brings joy to them!