Water Fun

Oops.

There's something about water that fascinates kids. And many kids seem fixated with the water in toilets and the fact that things magically go away when you flush. I won't name names, but I've heard the stories of how Lloyd's kids would throw things in the toilet and flush away. However, the wooden blocks sort of didn't go away properly and there was a hefty plumbing bill involved.

Similarly, dogs seem to have a fascination with water. No, Dieter hasn't taken to playing in the toilet, but he's found the next best thing. The sump pump pit in the basement.

He always accompanies me to the laundry room and likes to bring a favorite toy along. He plays while I load the washer or dryer. Yesterday as I was loading the washing machine, I heard a splash. "Hmmm, where is that sound coming from--sounds like it's behind me." I looked over and there was Dieter, all interested in the sump pump pit.

A red version of this ball ended up in the drink!

I got a flashlight, and sure enough, there was the purple Kong ball he'd just carried downstairs. Since kneeling isn't in my repertoire, I resorted to the long-handled grabber tool. Yeah, trying to finesse a slippery, wet ball out of a pit with a grabber isn't so easy. You try it!  And try it with an eager-to-help dog plastered against you. As I was struggling to retrieve the ball, something else caught my eye. Swell, it was another of his rubber balls. I have no idea how long it's been in there.

Luckily Lloyd showed up right about then and he helped me fish out the balls. The one that had been in there the longest was pretty water logged, so it had been there for a while. I got all the water out of the ball, washed the toys real well, and handed them over to Dieter. He happily carried one upstairs and I obliged by toting the other one.

I'm sure we'll have a repeat of this escapade because, well, it's fun!

Luckily Dieter is a spoiled pooch and he has so many toys he's not going to miss a few that are treading water in the sump pump pit. And I just hope a pit that contains dog toys won't cause a flood. That'd be pretty much the way my luck's been going of late!