Dog swims to prison

German Shepards aren't suppose to swim, right? We herd, right? I'm glad. I wouldn't want to seem TOO lazy. I saw this on a bulletin board recently...

Dog Beats Most in Swim From Alcatraz
Mon Aug 1, 11:43 AM


SAN FRANCISCO - With a stomach full of scrambled eggs, Jake dog-paddled his way into history, leaving most of the serious - and human - swimmers in his wake.

Organizers of the South End Rowing Club's 10th annual Alcatraz Invitational - a 1.2 mile swim from the infamous prison island to the San Francisco shoreline - say the 65-pound golden retriever is the first canine known to have made the crossing.

He was the only dog among more than 500 swimmers who lept into the chilly, choppy waters on Saturday, coming in 72nd overall. His time was 41 minutes and 45 seconds.

"It was colder and rougher than we thought it would be," said Jeff Pokonosky, Jake's owner and swim partner. "Jake amazed me. He was very focused." The pair live in San Diego and swim 4 miles a week and bodysurf together, Pokonosky said. And Jake always eats scrambled eggs before a big swim.

Bill Wygant, president of the South End Rowing Club, said he was more than happy to allow a dog into the race, a first for the more than 100-year-old group. "This swim is about personal challenge. Whether you are dog or human, it's whatever you can achieve that counts."

Maybe if my moms gave me scrambled eggs, I would be more active. I also think I'd like one of those dog floats for when I got tired. Apparently swimming is the best exercise for me since I have arthritis, but deep water scares me, especially if it's moving. I do like dipping my feet. Here I am in the Little River a few years ago when my mom lived in the country:


Like I said, since I have bad hips, this kind of exercise it perfect for me. I just don't know about swimming to a far away island/prison/tourist attraction. Do I get to take a boat back?