The Swimmer

It’s pretty well known that I try to swim pretty much every chance I get. I hit the pool to swim laps and practice water aerobics in the park.

My love of swimming surprises a lot of my people because I had a bad experience with water as a puppy. Of course, as you can see from the video, that’s all behind me. Now after a long day, I head to the water to unwind. The blue stuff has never disappointed me, and I always find it relaxing and quiet. I’d live in the water full time if I didn’t have other commitments or if it didn’t get so darn cold in the winter. Since ice is also no fun, maybe someone wants to crowd-fund me an indoor heated swimming pool?

Everyone wants to know how I was able to overcome my bad experience with a water and become such a force in the wet stuff. It’s pretty simple: my ability to focus. The average person does don’t have this type of focus. Quite frankly, it’s only found in exceptional athletes like Michael Phelps and myself. It can be a burden but I am not one to complain about it. I also don’t let the negative comments from anyone deter me from finding harmony in every stroke. I’ll admit that sometimes my focus made me miss out on things going on around me, but a champion has to walk a lonely road.

My friends understand my passion for swimming and only want the best for me. Otto thought that I might be becoming a swimaholic so he tried to help by destroying my plastic pool. This only made things worse, forcing me to practice in small puddles around the neighborhood.

Back in 2011, I was in Great Falls Park getting ready to swim in a creek. My focus was so strong that day I was able to ignore a crane standing the water just a feet away. I was able to turn off my natural prey drive and simply go about my business. Successful athletes all have this extraordinary tunnel vision. It keeps them focused on the big prize. Often times when my swimming was over, I would be exhausted but still didn’t want to quit for the night. I would lie down on the trail to and try to summon the strength to keep training. Everyone knows that once you start swimming, it’s difficult to stop, and I am no quitter.

If there’s ever a remake of The Swimmer, I’d love to be cast in this one. I hope Hollywood does stereotype and considers a Norfolk Terrier like me. Hint, Hint. For a change.