It’s Hot

Henry David Thoreau said, “Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not the fish they are after.”

Steven Wright said, “There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.”

I am not sure if you have noticed, but it has been pretty hot and humid lately. I grant you that any temperature that does not freeze my drool or create snowballs in my toe hair is too hot for me, but cold days are in the rear view mirror and the mercury is rising.

When the temperatures go up, I tend to go down. Literally. Mom will attempt to take me for a walk in the morning and after one mile it is a hard “no” on my end. I plop down on the ground and cease all movement. It’s HOT! I don’t like heat! I can’t make it one more step!

HOWEVER….

Mom being the best dog mom ever, took me to Merrill Creek the other day for a SWIM!

If you are a regular reader of Imperfectphil, then you know I love to go for walks. Did you know I love to go for swims even more!? I usually have to walk to where I want to swim, but it’s always worth it in the end.

QUIZ TIME!

What is Phil Basher’s favorite part about going for a walk?

A. Squirrels

B. Squirrels

C. Squirrels

The answer is…you got it…SQUIRRELS!

You may be asking yourself why I like swimming more than walking if there are no squirrels in the water. Well, the answer is BECAUSE THERE ARE FISH!

That’s right! This dog loves chasing squirrels and this guy loves hunting for tiny little fish in the shallows of the reservoir.

Anyone who has ever driven a car knows how maddening a squirrel on land can be. I mean is it trying to cross the road or what? Anyone who has tried to catch a fish in the shallows of the reservoir knows those guys are fast! Dart. Dart. Dart.

Squirrels run this way…

…then that way…

…then this way…

…then that way…

When I am on land, I run with the grace of a stallion and stop with the precision of a pillbug.

I love a good squirrel chase, even though I never catch one, because I can see the squirrel right in front of me and I can see where that little bugger goes. Sometimes the squirrel goes up a tree, sometimes it goes up a phone pole, sometimes it goes into a bush, and sometimes it squeezes through a fence. I may never catch that fuzzy little squirrel, but I can see what I want right there in front of me.

Now, a fish! Well, a fish is an entirely different story! Fish are harder to see and fish don’t climb trees. When I am in the water, I cut through the surface like a furry hippopotamus and pounce with the subtlety of a crocodile. When I am wading in the water, I need a keen eye and the patience of a saint (or at least a giant St. Bernard puppy) in order to catch a glimpse of what is right below the surface.

I stand still and search, or I move stealthily and strike with furocity (hahahaha). Regardless of what action I take, I keep my nose right above the glimmering divide and peer into the shallow darkness with great anticipation. I know what I am looking for, but I don’t always know where it is, and I have to be ready if the moment presents itself.

SIDE BAR: Molly, being the good pittie she is, takes an entirely different approach to a day in the water. Molly dives face first, goes half a nose under, and grabs hold of what she wants with no mercy. Molly catches a lot of sticks.