The First Swim

• Look at me! I am swimming. When I first looked at the water - well, I thought this might not be too fun. I just put my head down and got my feet going and away I went. Not bad for the first time. My Dad and Mom said that I took to the water really well. Dad said that I have an instinct for putting my head down to the water that even Oliver The Great Hunter didn't have at first. Cool, huh? Oliver is my hero. I never met him, but my Dad talks about him all the time. Oliver and Dad used to hunt together. Oliver passed away about 10 months ago. So I am here to help my Dad nab those birds and give him hugs on the side. The plus is I get to sleep on the big bed just like Oliver did! It is comfy and Mom lets me curl up.

• I have gotten to swim 3 times since coming to Oregon on September 2nd. I will probably only get to swim one more time my Dad says. He says that I cannot swim in water the is colder than 56 degress. Brrr, sounds cold! The weather has already changed here in Oregon. I heard my Dad say this morning that it was "spitting snow." I don't know what that means, but I imagine that I will find out. Mom says they get lots of snow. Not sure what that is either, but it sounds like it could be fun!

• After the last swim it will be about 7 1/2 months before I get to swim again. It sounds like a long time to me, but Mom says it will go quick.

• I am Hugh