Primal peek-a-boo

A woman was dragged down to the water's edge,  towed by a large bounding Labrador Retriever. She was laughing and gripped the leash tighter. Dog saw ducks and whatever control the woman had was lost as the dog plunged into the water, unhanded leash dancing across the rocks and into the water.

The lab headed straight for a female duck with her ducklings swimming behind her. As the dog neared the ducks, the female duck flapped and splashed and moved away from the ducklings. The dog instinctively headed toward the adult female as the ducklings went towards deeper water.

Within a very short time the lab lost interest, realizing that she was going to get no nearer to the prize, turned around and headed back towards shore. The leash trailed behind and was dragged up on the beach when she got out of the water and shook her fur dry.

In a space of a few minutes, the natural world was laid bare. Animals do what they do to survive in the world. Leashes only give us the illusion that we have tamed nature and is subservient to our control. But every now and then, nature reveals its truer essence.

Play with me

My attention was drawn to five geese angrily paddling away from the shoreline. Following them was the head of a black labrador Retriever.

It became apparent that the dog had no interest in the geese. A white plastic ball floating by the geese was engulfed by black jaws. The head turned and headed back to shore.

Climbing out of the water, he dropped the ball on the stones and shook the water from his glossy black fur. He picked up the ball and with his head down and full of purpose, walked up to where my feet were. He shook again and dropped the ball two feet from my toes. He looked at me. He nudged the ball closer to me, his head down, his eyes watching me intently.

I leaned over and picked up the ball. The lab's head shot up and his haunches tightened as he anticipated the throw. I threw it into the water. Water joyfully parted as the black hulk lunged away from the shore. 

Once again the head purposely navigated to the ball. It was snatched in his jaws and his nose once more headed toward shore. 

We did one more round before he lost interest and wandered off to find his owner.

This dog did not judge my character. He didn't worry what I looked like or what my morals were. His only concern..."Can you throw the ball?'