Prepping for Weigh In 2: Living it up at the Lake

We're heading to my sister's lake house this weekend. Bella would be content to lounge on the deck enjoying the view. Not so much an option when you put into play my sister's 9 month old, rambunctious lab, Oakley. Did you ever watch the movie Marley and Me? Oakley gives Marley a run for his money, and I'm not exaggerating.

My niece, Madeline, drove to the lake with me, and she glanced down at Bella, napping in her lap and commented, "why does Bella always seem so tired? She looks old because she looks tired all the time. How old is she?" Again, shock and awe from Madeline when she hears Bella's only three.

Day 1 at the lake. Goal is to get Bella to swim. My niece helps guide her into the water, and lo and behold Bella ventures out to fetch the ball. We keep throwing it out farther and farther until Bella is officially swimming. Unfortunately, Bella can't quite keep up with Oakley. We throw a ball for Oakley, and then one for Bella, but somehow Oakley is able to get to his ball, bring it back to the dock and then swims back out for Bella's ball and happily deposits it next to the first while poor Bella is left bobbing around in the water looking exhausted. To keep Bella's self-esteem intact we come up with a game plan.

I'll throw the ball to Bella, and Madeline will grab onto Oakley's collar to keep him from retrieving it. We all watch Oakley frantically trying to escape the clutches of Madeline as Bella slowly swims towards the ball, and brings it back to the dock with an air of achievement. It's funny how Bella doesn't seem aware of her now dejected canine competition in shackles, unable to participate. Sad, I know, but watching both dogs in the water is comparable to watching a barge race a speed boat.

The good news is Bella had to have burned 1000 calories today. Between swimming and tryingto escape Oakley, the dog who truly has endless energy, she collapsed into her bed and didn't stir until she smelled bacon cooking in the kitchen (no, I didn't give her any- I am actuallyserious about this weight-loss challenge). If she doesn't drop any weight by Monday, I might have to go in search of ephedrine.