I too love labs... I have never lived with one, however, my cousins who lived up the street always had 2-3 Labs in their house. They are wonderful dogs. They are lots and lots of fun, and I have many special memories of them.

One of my favorites is about their Black Lab named Polo. She was a character! She was always into something... a real handful, and a real LOVE! We would all go up the families cabin in the North Woods of Wisconsin every summer. As you all know, Labs love water. Polo would swim across the lake every day... ending up on a beach that belonged to the local resort. She would visit people there, happily accept any handout given to her, and then after resting.. head back.

As she got older, it beacme more and more difficult for her to get around. She had terrible arthritus. The day came when she began to sleep downstairs, because it was too difficult for her to climb the stairs.

That summer, when everyone arrived at the lake, we all figured that Polo would no longer swim accross the lake. Our first day there... she walked down the path, to the end of the dock and jumped in. My Aunt asked us to stop her... that she wasn't strong enough.

Several of the kids jumped in, and tried to herd her back to shore. Polo was determined though... and very stubborn. And so, every day, when we'd hear that certain splash, we'd hop into an old wooden rowboat with a very small motor, and follow her back and forth... at a discreet distance, Of Course!!!

Her youth came back that summer for a couple of weeks anyway! Polo continued this for 3-4 more years. It was heartwarming to watch.

Polo crossed the Bridge several years ago... yet when we look across the lake, I swear I can see a black head, bobbing in the water... heading to the resort's beach!