On almost every public beach, up and down the East Coast, the dogs come out, their owners usually carrying plastic waste bags (this has only recently been required of dog owners on the beach, as all the other creatures out there eliminate at will).
Lots of the dogs and their people know each other, they are regulars, the beach is paradise for many dogs, especially Labs who love to dig in the mud and run through the water.
I love watching the beaming faces of the dog people as they watch their dogs play so joyously, people love to see dogs play, it touches the deepest parts of their emotions, they often love and need it more than the dogs.
Maria and I were staying in a cottage on the beach in Rye and we walked to the beaches every afternoon, when it wasn’t raining. There were always dogs there, and they were always having great fun.
In a sense., this is become a national ritual, you can see the dogs on the beach almost anywhere on the East Coast where there is a beach. Dogs are no longer separate from any kind of human activity, they have finally, and after thousands of years of hard work, made their way into every part of our lives.
I prefer not to bring my dogs on vacation, I think we all need a break from one another sometimes, but that is another of my minority opinions when it comes to dogs. My dogs are very happy here, Nicole Tanton keeps a close eye on them and the farm, and I’m not sure they really even know when we are gone.
I don’t see many border collies on the beaches, but I’m sure they would love to chase frisbees there and perhaps herd the other dogs. Then again, they love to chase frisbees anywhere. Good to be home.