I walked on water

Yes, I did! So cool. And I didn't even get wet. Milou's dad took me to the yacht club where all the tall sticks wobble. When he lifted me out of the car, he made me put on a bright yellow harness. Except it was more like a jumper. With a handle on the back. It's called a life jacket, and specially designed for dogs. If I fall in the water, he can use a boat hook to pull me out by the handle. Or if it's shallow water he can just use the handle to pull me out with his hand. I looked very smart.

Milou's dad told me that the life jacket was made in Sweden and the best doggie life jackets come from Sweden because they have lots of dogs and lots of boats there. I believe him because he is a big man and must have lots of knowledge inside him. Sometimes I wonder how much my owner knows because she is very slim so there can't be much inside her.

Anyway, we walked the same way as last time to the boat called Thumper. But this time, he picked me up and put me on Thumper. On the deck (new word). I could see there was more than a deck, so I jumped into the cockpit and then ran through the hatch into the cabin and onto a bunk. All these new words that I am learning.

Everything was moving even though I was inside. Wobbly, like the tall sticks. And it all smelled like the beach where I have been for a walk next to the ocean.

I preferred being on the deck because I could see more. I like to know what's going on around me. And that's when I realised that I am on the water. I like water. I know some dogs are scared of water but not me. I'm a West Highland Terrier and we are very brave.

I really wanted to jump in the water to see what happens with the life jacket but then I thought, "What if he doesn't have a boat hook? How will he get me out of the water?" because I couldn't see a beach and the deck was too high above the water to jump back on or for his hand to reach the handle.

So I stood on the edge of the deck (this is the gunwale) and stuck my head over the side and sniffed. It smelled so good. Milou's dad was watching me all the time and he taught me the new words.

I didn't want to leave Thumper but I didn't have much choice. Milou's dad picked me up and put me on the holey path. I didn't want to take the life jacket off either but he told me that you didn't wear life jackets in cars so I understood.

Next time, he said, we can go for a sail, whatever that means.