Rusty Goes to the Beach for the First Time

Well, the week began with a quick trip to Cannon Beach, where I needed to take care of a couple of things at the house. I put Rusty and Skally in the backyard, much to their annoyance. Skally howled. Yes, Howled, and Rusty Barked! Then they set upon a mission to find a way out - they couldn't. By this time, though, my mission was complete. As I said, it was a quick trip, and I needed to get back to Portland for an early afternoon appointment.

Yet, there was still time, and I didn't bring them with me to torture them. So, we headed up the street to the beach. Skally and Rusty were both off leash, and they relished in the smells of the neighbors' plants, lush grasses, and the awesome shade. We headed over to the entrance to the beach where Skally went flying down the sand with her tail wagging and her smile radiating through the drab skies. Rusty stayed close, and upon feeling the sand, he hesitated. He wasn't sure. This being his first venture to the beach, he had no clue, and it was a bit overwhelming.

I headed down and looked back - Rusty was slogging through the dry sand - and as he was more laden with weight than Skally, it was more difficult. Skally was running between logs on her way to the water. Rusty went down and just lay there. I summoned him and he tentatively got up and began moving toward me. After about 30 feet, he went down again. He looked quite worried.

Skally was splashing around in the water with some people watching her and some taking pictures. She was in her element, and she was going to, by God, make the most of it. Rusty, on the other hand, had to be coaxed to the wet sand, and when he made it, he stayed very close by.

We walked up to Ecola Creek and then past the town, next to the water. There wasn't much of a crowd on the beach, but there were a number of tourists at the top of the staircase. We continued up to the school, with Rusty panting with a look of worriment. He never once set foot in the water, while Skally was all over - in the water, up the beach and running around as though it was her first taste of it all.

We finally headed back (time was nearly up for this venture), and walked up close to the wall, where we headed in on the grass and through the lawn to the staircase that took us to First Street. We then headed down to the house, and made our way back to Beaverton.

Rusty's breathing has gradually grown better, as has his pace in walking. His pads are callousing well, and he seems more sure of himself. He is my little shadow, now, and reminds me of Cubby with his demeanor, although he rarely attacks and bites like Cubby - he's more passive. However, this will not be his last trip to the coast. Another will be coming soon, and hopefully he will be in better shape and able to appreciate it and enjoy it.