It’s a doggie paradise! We are so fortunate to live on Bribie Island where there are not just one but two designated dog beaches.
Cindie knows as soon as we get in the car. When I add the Chuck-It Launcher and ball, she’s a wake up. There is only one place where we use them and that is Cindie’s No 1 favourite walk or rather run and swim on Woorim Dog Beach.
She sits up on the car seat as we get close to the beach. I can almost feel her excitment mounting. She cannot wait to scramble out of the car and insists on grabbing the ball launcher as I retrieve it from the car. I’ve barely got time to lock the car before she’s tugging me to be off to the beach. It’s a rough surface until we hit the sand. I need some shoes to give me enough purchase to hold onto 34 kg of Cindie muscle.
Then we hit the sand and I’ve got to get rid of my shoes quickly. Get the lead and harness off Cindie. She’s ready and racing to go. No worries about other dogs. She has only two thoughts: get in the water and start chasing that ball! No aggression in this environment, she’s free and doing what she loves best.
I’m not much of a ball chucker but I’ve really honed my skills using the Chuck-It Launcher. Long runs along the beach – no problem. Big bounces for a super catch – Cinde would make the Australian cricket team look like beginners. Slow lobs into surf at just the right moment. Surfin’ Cindie is up for the ride!
Sometimes I worry that she is wearing herself out, she goes so hard. Trying to slow Cindie down on the beach is just an impossibility. She is unstoppable. But we always make it back OK.
Woorim Dog beach is well equipped with water and showers plus doggie bag dispensers and the necessary garbage bins. Someone has even thoughtfully provided a doggie dish beside the water tap. Not a problem for Cindie since she has always preferred running water from the tap. But if you have a more fussy dog take their own bowl and water supply.
If you head to a beach that is not as well provisioned, remember to take water as well for your dog. They will be extra thirsty as they often drink the salty water in which they play. This may have another less attractive result which makes cleaning up after your dog quite a challenge. Sometimes it may be necessary to add a few handfuls of sand to the doggy deposit that you are trying to pick up.
Don’t forget to pack a couple of dog towels. You’ll need to get all that sand and salt water out of your dog’s coat after their wonderful romp on the beach. If you don’t, this can cause itching and skin issues for them. If you can hose your pooch down at the beach before you return, this is the best method but sometimes these facilities are not available. We give Cindie a rough dry at the beach and then a thorough wash or shampoo under the hose when we get home. We never leave the salt water in her coat.
We always rinse her nylon collar and harness in cold water and hang them up to dry. This stops them stiffening up with the salt water.
Want to know where to go with your dog? I found a few web sites that list the best dog beaches in Australia. For Queensland check out www.mustdobrisbane.com/dog-beaches.
For Australia wide look at www.doggo.com.au.