Soon, intermingled with the white caps are 6 to 8 "dog caps"--seemingly disembodied dog heads, brown, black and tan valiantly advancing toward the shore--legs furiously and invisibly peddling-- prize in mouth.
Two humans also make their way in--owners are allowed to wade but not swim (sunbathe at your own risk of the "hydrant effect")--while their dog waits on the shore. Isn't that backwards?
There are dogs out there who don't "fetch nice with others" and start fights, but they're not on the dog beach today. No, today the biggest infraction is when a skinny yellowish dog grabs a squeak toy from a black mixed breed to the audible protestations of owners and spectators. But the black dog gives chase and regains his property and a few humans cheer for "playground justice."
Of course, fighting may be rare on the beach but that doesn't mean dogs are equally popular.
No one wants to play, for example, with a Doberman whose mom has outfitted him in a life preserver. (See: Mom, the kids will laugh at me!) And a dog who barks on the shore for no apparent reason is given wide birth, branded a fussbudget or worse.
Still a "frou frou" dog is so spirited in its fetching, the dog monde forgives his size and breed and makes it one of the crowd.
Meanwhile a shepherd mix endures his owner trying to teach him the "concept" of pointing. ("This means I want you to go this way," he repeats) The dog knows all about symbolic gestures--when he plays Throw It Again, Daddy.
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