My Little Lifeguard in Training

[kjwarnold]

I've got Packy in lifeguard training now (we live on a big lake). I hold onto his shoulders, floating behind him, and tell him "Save me, Packy!" and he swims me to the swim ladder on our dock. With a life jacket on, this strong little 19 lb. dog can pull me (more than 19 lbs.!) at a decent pace to the ladder, with me floating dead in the water. Without a life jacket, he can still pull me but at a much slower pace. I usually help out with a few frog kicks when he doesn't have a jacket on.

There's no way that Kirby could do this. His swimming isn't nearly as strong and just the weight of my hands on his shoulders would probably push that little lightweight (14.8 lbs.) down. He'd probably freak out completely. Packy is calm and just keeps paddling. Doesn't matter where I am in the water, he knows where the swim ladder is and goes right for it. Oh, and he does snap at the water if a little fish swims by while he's pulling me. I mean, why not fish while you're saving a life???

The strength and intelligence of these little guys is amazing!

[Sam I Am]

What a lovely story! Packy sounds like Lassie in a small package. You never know with some animals as it seems some have special talents. A bit like the little train " I know I can, I know I can". Smart boy Packy

[Lynn in TN]

That is the sweetest story. Way to go Packy! While you are saving lives and fishing send a few fish my way would ya?

I too find the strength and intelligence of these little guys and girls amazing.

[TazTalk]

Wow! I am amazed by Packy's strength and determination. Give a Cairn a mission and they will make you proud. Let us know if he does in fact end up catching a fish while on lifeguard duty

[hheldorfer]

He's SuperPacky - saves uprights with his powerful dog paddle and catches dinner on the way!

[beccadiane374]

Impressive, Packy!

[pindrop]

giggling here at the responses. WTG Packy - saving lives and catching dinner all in one package. Perhaps along with the life jacket, he should be wearing a cape (a bit like superman)!

[Hawkeye]

Packy proves it once again...the cairn is a big dog in a little body.

WTG Packy!! Saves mommy and get's her dinner to go....

[josie&holly]

What a talented Cairn that Packy is!

[Kathryn]

Would love to see a video of this! How about it?

[janis]

Yeah, video! That would be great!

[kjwarnold]

Here you go!

[Sam I Am]

Thats one very happy little lifeguard

[Lynn in TN]

No words can describe that! Packy is just so sweet! Just simply amazing!

[TazTalk]

Love it! And watch out for that propeller tail!

[bradl]

Oh my. You should try and crash a Newfoundland Water Rescue test with him

[Dempsy's Mom]

That's so great Packy! I too like the fact that you fish while you work. Now that's a great life!

[pindrop]

What a great video of Packy saving Mom - all except for the slap in the face with a wet tail. (wonderful video - thanks for sharing!)

[tomatosandwich]

Wow! Fantastic, Packy! I loved the video! What an amazing little dog!

[Kathryn]

Thanks for that video! I am still amazed that our cairns are such big dogs in their little bodies...

[Hawkeye]

Awesome video!!! Packy is your hero.

Thanks for sharing.

[Idaho Cairns]

Great video--Packy looks like he is having more fun than just "rescuing" a desperate drowning victim--however he sure seems to be all business as he glides along with you in tow. Tough little dogs.

[janis]

Thanks for the video! It was so great. A great way to start the day is a video with an amazing Cairn as the star!

[gt_mustang_gal]

Thank you for sharing the video! Packy is the most adorable lifeguard I've ever seen.

[percy's_girl]

Love it!