Water Training

"She's in training?" the pool manager and lifeguard asked, looking down at Murphy. Murphy sported her "In Training" red vest. I casually knew this woman for some years from our Church and from the YMCA pool, and she was a reasonable person. Still, this was a private pool I knew that legally they could deny me permission to bring Murphy to sit by the pool while William swims. (A DAD is particularly useful in a water situation where the CGM (continuous glucose monitor) won't work as Bluetooth signals don't work in water. 

I affirmed she was in training. "You're doing water training?" she asked. Oh, no, I know she's not allowed in the water. Then, the woman told me that indeed Murph was allowed in this pool and that she would help us train her. If William should need her while he was in the pool, she needed to be comfortable entering the water. Murphy loves, loves water, ponds, lakes, gradual entry, but not swimming pools. So, we began showing Murphy the steps and seeing if she would just jump in. Murphy is cautious, but really wanted the tennis balls we threw in. 

Ultimately, we got her relaxed by playing in the kiddie pool which was unoccupied. 

This whole day was such a gift. In general, dogs are not allowed in public or private pools, though it varies by local ordinances. This pool manager not only allowed it, but offered to continue to help us train her for water access at an indoor facility in the off-season. The people around the pool, watching what was going on, clapped for Murphy when she finally jumped in on her own. It also was an opportunity for William to see the joy in training her himself.

Murphy's presence brings so much openness. I talk to so many people that I might otherwise throw a smile but keep walking instead of stopping, hearing their story, and answering their questions about T1D.