Phoenix’s First Time at the Beach

My only regret today was forgetting to bring my camera. Judi & I took Phoenix (our 6-yr-old tripawd pitbull) and Chloe (our almost-12-yr-old beagle) to nearby Samoa Beach. Because Phoenix’s history is unknown before her arrival in Humboldt Co. last September, we don’t know if she’s ever been to a beach. But we do know it was her first time at a beach as a tripawd.

And man, did she love it.

As soon as we unhooked them from their leashes, Chloe (a beach veteran) sprinted away as if to say, “Phoenix, you get to run free here!” Phoenix raced off after her friend, and it warmed my heart to see our tripawd running so fast and so well. They turned around, came back to us, and then took off again.  Phoenix kept wagging her tail, did mutliple short runs on the hard-pack sand (it was low tide), but often stayed close by us. Occasionally she stopped to drop & roll on the soft sand (not on anything gross, thank God). The only others the dogs encountered on the almost-deserted beach were two solitary beach walkers and a young man throwing a rubber ball to his large rottweiler.

The weather was cool and sunny, and we never felt the 5.7 earthquake others felt in town.

Phoenix and Chloe were glad to walk back to the truck, so they could drink water from their bowl and eat some biscuits. Then it was home for their nap.

All things considered,  a very successful first venture for our tripawd on a North Coast beach.

Author: 2013sophie

We're a senior retired couple (one ceramic artist, one writer) living in Eureka--on Northern California's redwood coast. We each grew up in NYC but met here in Humboldt County 25 years ago. We feel blessed that our three prior dogs (all females) each lived to age 14+ years. Our beagle Chloe crossed over into K9 heaven in August, 2017, and left behind her younger "sister," Phoenix, our tripawd. She's a sweet, tail-wagging, face-licking, pit bull. Phoenix joined our pack in December, 2014 [4+ years ago], three months after her right front leg was amputated at age 4-5? Phoenix had been hit by 3 cars in the SF Bay Area, and two great Samaritans named Ralph & Mya stopped traffic to rescue Phoenix on the road and drive 5+hours north to Miranda's Rescue, a no-kill facility in our county.

3 thoughts on “Phoenix’s First Time at the Beach”

  1. LOVING THIS BLOG…LOVING IT!!!!

    You did a great job of chronicling their adventure even without a camera…great visualization!!!

    Really glad Phoenix didn’t find a “stinky” sea creature to roll in! I love that Chlore showed her the ipes and h ow to frolic at the beach and always return to mom and dad!! And now “the Beagle” is known to us as Chloe…perfect name!

    So happy for Phoenix…and she’s clearly happy too! Looking forard to more updates on their adventures…AND…PICTURES!!!!!

    Extra hugs and treats for everyone!!!

    Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!

  2. Oh Neil. Jim and I are teary-eyed, both because we are so darn happy for you all, and because it brings back SO many memories of our very happy days with Jerry on that beach. We know every step of that walk from the sandy parking lot down to the beach, all the way to the huge redwood logs washed up on the shore that never seem to go anywhere (are they still there?). If we ever had a bad day at the office, all we had to do was head to Samoa and any trace of a bad mood was gone by the time Jerry splashed in the water. Wow, takes our breath away to remember those good times.

    Take photos next time, we cannot wait to see them.

    YAAAAYYYY! Good for you Phoenix, you are kickin’ butt!

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