So, in applying my runner's logic to the vet's directives of two weeks of house arrest and minimal activity for Soleil, I interpreted that loosely as ''drive dog to beach on shallow bay and let her get her feet wet in the lake''. It felt kind of silly leash-walking two Labradors in the water, but needs must. They got their bellies wet, and came home happy.

We also saw a Merganser cruise into the bay with her babies on her back; I didn't have the right lens to capture her properly, but the shots are worth posting, since it was very cool to see. They came within inches of someone out swimming in the bay. What a treat that encounter would be.