The bug splattered windshield is hard to see through by the end of our nine hour journey. We are both restless. Maiden is whining because she knows that we are close. We turn off the highway after not turning for hours and head down Long Lake Drive. After a few minutes we see the name plate. It's a small sign with the family name that tells us that our week of relaxation and time at the lake is about to begin. We turn down the long dirt covered driveway surrounded by tall pine trees. The trees swayed ever so slightly with the cool breeze.
I looked over my shoulder and said in an excited voice that only my dog loves, "Maiden, are you ready to go jump in the lake?" The excitement radiated through her as she jumped into my lap in the front seat. Her nails dug into my legs and I immediately regretted my decision to get her pumped up after the long ride.
We pulled up to the cabin and stopped the car. At this point Maiden could no longer hold in her excitement. I opened the door and she leapt out and ran as fast as she could around the yards. Dogs started running out of their houses to greet her. Some people say that dogs can't smile, but I beg to differ. Her goofy smile was undeniable. She was elated to see her friends after their long absence.
The dogs, Maiden leading of course, ran in circles around the cabin playing tag. Her ears flapped in the wind as she zoomed around, obviously determined to be the fastest in the pack. Suddenly, Maiden recalled the best part of going to the cabin. The lake! She ran down the wooded path, leaping from step to step all the way down to the waterfront.
Click click click click click! The dogs paws hit the wooden dock with force. The three native Minnesota dogs reached the end of the dock and dove in the water.
The poser lake dog (Maiden) put on the brakes and skidded to a stop just shy of the end of the dock. She barked and jumped around, upset that the other dogs had left her, and even more frustrated that she was too chicken to make the jump.
At least not yet...
