(Post written February 7, 2014)
Today, I scratched “take Wynston to the beach” off his bucket list, and boy, was it incredible!
I was nervous about taking Wyn to the beach. I honestly didn’t know how he’d do. It’s taken 2 years for him to go from fearful, to confident, but I still wasn’t sure how he’d do with such unfamiliar surroundings, noises and smells.
Matt took us to Sunset Beach, because he told me it’s typically quiet and there aren’t many people. When we arrived, he parked right next to the beach. It was super convenient and easy, but as we walked toward the sand, we saw a “no dogs allowed” sign. Oh well, no one was around, we decided to be rebels and take the chance. If someone told us to leave, we would leave..
At first I carried Wynston onto the sand because we had a little bit of a walk before we got to the shore, and I wanted Matt to take a video of Wynston’s first steps on the beach. It was a beautiful day – slightly chilly with a breeze, but when the sun would peak out, it was gorgeous. I put a shirt on Wynston to protect him from the cold and the sun (even though I did put sunscreen on him). When the moment came to put him down on the beach, Wyn was apprehensive. He was trying to get a grip on the sand, and wasn’t really sure what to do with it.
I wanted to take him off the leash, but I wasn’t comfortable enough, even though there weren’t people around. I was afraid he’d get scared and run away, but that was my anxiety talking. After he got to sniff around on the leash a bit and get used to the loud sound of the waves, I decided to let him run free. And what do you know – as soon as I let Wynston loose, he was off! He started to run in circles, up and down the little sand mountain. I was SHOCKED! Was this really my dog? Once afraid of his own shadow, now running around, smiling, wagging his tail and playing????
Then I had an epiphany. Wynston is no longer fearful. He’s no longer scared. Wynston is confident, curious and loving life. He showed me today that coming up on our 2 year anniversary together, he’s truly a different dog. Matt was running around on the beach with him, then he’d get distracted by the smell of the seaweed, or to stop and dig a hole. I was able to sit down on the beach, enjoy the calming breeze and sound of the waves crashing on the shore, all while watching Wynston experience this amazing new place.
We decided to take it a step further and head to Hunington Dog Beach, about 15 minutes away. Again, I was nervous because I wasn’t sure how many dogs would be there. But once we parked and walked down to the beach, there weren’t many people around and the dogs close by were very well behaved and friendly. I didn’t want big dogs to run up to Wynston, but when they would walk by with their owners, Wynston would run up to them! Really?!?! Is this seriously my dog?!?! We played fetch, he made friends and wandered off to say hi to other dogs. Wynston dipped his paws in the Pacific ocean today…I can’t believe this is happening!
Matt has given Wynston and I opportunities that I didn’t know I would ever have. We are so very blessed to be able to experience staying in our vacation home, and enjoying time at the beach. Matt made this experience possible for Wynston, and he’s played a huge role in Wyn’s confidence.
I had many proud dog mom moments today. From the time I let Wynston off the leash at Sunset Beach and he ran around with excitement, to him making friends with big dogs at Hunington Dog Beach. Tomorrow we head to our La Quinta house, and we’ll probably just play in the green belt behind the house and watch the Westminster agility. We could definitely use a day of rest after all of the excitement today!
(Post written on 2/7/14)
DZ Dogs says
Way to go Wynston!!