My Photo Buddy Makes a Splash!

​The other night I decided to take a walk out at the Lois Hole Centennial Park, or better know as Big Lake.  I had just purchased a new iphone and wanted to try out some techniques I learned from a class I have enrolled in.  I like to take my little dog Stella out with me to get some fresh air and she is always happy to be there with all the new smells to explore. It was a beautiful night with a promise of a pretty sunset.

Lately, Big Lake has been really busy, I think everyone in St. Albert has wanted to get out of the house and enjoy some nature.  Surprisingly, on this particular night it wasn't busy, which was great!  As we were walking along the John E. Poole's boardwalk I saw some ducks in the water, I went down to a lower platform and stopped to take photos. As I was concentrating on various shots I heard a loud "Splash!", for a moment I didn't think much about it, I thought a fish must have jumped or perhaps there was a muskrat or beaver near by. I looked around to see what Stella was doing, but she was no where to be seen.  Panic didn't set in because this really didn't make sense as she was attached to her retractable leash, so I followed the leash and looked down and there she was.....in the water!  She was thrashing around, partly submerged and going under the boardwalk.  I couldn't tell if her head was above water, but I knew I had to get her out fast.  I dropped down on my knees, dropped the phone on the boardwalk and grabbed her halter.  I couldn't get a good grip on her at first, by managed on the second try. I hauled her out of the water and back onto the boardwalk.  She looked distressed and was coughing and snorting. After a few minutes she calmed down and seemed fine, a little bit of a green tint on her and a very wet dog.  I wasn't sure to be upset or laugh, I was just grateful she was okay

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At first I couldn't figure out what would have made her decide to jump into the water, she wasn't much of a water dog.  I then realized that she must have thought the pond was a sold surface because of the amount of algae covering it.  I'm sure when she saw those ducks she figured they were fair game. Needless to say, once home, a shower with a good scrubbing was called for. 

​​At the end of it all, I did get some great photos, perhaps an inspiration for a new painting.

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