A First For Shay

Before Shay Shay became a member of our family I was under the impression that both Labradors and Poodles were great water dogs. Considering they both were known for being retrievers it only made sense to me. Knowing this, I assumed that labradoodles would automatically be great swimmers.
Then Shay come into our lives. We brought the young puppy to the farm where she could swim in the pool. It was an unsuccessful endeavor. She disliked the water, she shivered and clung to Carter with all her claws. Maybe she was too young, maybe the water was too cold. We took her out of the pool and did not torture her again.
The next summer we tried again. No swimming for this doodle. She also showed a dislike for having wet paws. Refused to go outside in the rain and when walked at the Eno did not like to go near the river. How did we get this non swimming dog?  
We could not coax her into the water year after year. Perhaps two swimming genes canceled each other out and despite her heritage she was just not going to like water. Today we went to the farm so Carter could spend some quality time with her grandparents before she leaves for camp and then Berlin. It was a hot day. Carter and I enjoyed the pool. Russ walked Shay out in the back field. She came back very hot. We decided to try one more time to introduce her to the joys of a cool dip in the pool.
Carter held her tight like a baby and slowly put her legs in the water. She didn’t complain. She didn’t try and climb up on Carter’s head. She didn’t shiver in fear like she had every other time we tried to get her to swim. Instead she appeared to enjoy the cool, but not cold water. Carter put her on a float and there she relaxed in the water for a good while. We didn’t tempt fate, by asking her to swim. Instead we just let her float with Carter right by her side.  
We considered it a huge victory. I am not sure she will ever become a “water” dog, but I am so happy she got to cool off and join the family in the water, rather than pacing the side of the pool worried that we were in the water and she was not. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?