Mor-mor 沫沫 the Labrador finds water at the Hilltop Farm

Labradors are water dogs and Mor-mor 沫沫 is no exception. She will swim and frolic any chance that she gets. When we stayed at the Hilltop Farm in December, she showed excellent water sense - she would investigate water features that I would've gone towards if I was looking for water too.

This swamp was on the outside of a bend on the steep drive up to the farm-house. I did not see the swamp on the drive in because I was focused on keeping the car away from the drop into space on the other side. Mor-mor frolicked here for a few minutes and didn't want to leave. I'd have to be careful whenever I left the house for a walk because she'd head in this direction.

This swamp-pond formed above the toe of an old-land slip and extended back towards the head. The swamp is identifiable by the lush green vegetation that indicates shallow surface water. Whenever we passed by here Mor-mor would come for a drink, a swim and a happy-dog frolic. Unfortunately, she'd come out muddy and need a shower before coming back inside.

As we walked up this hill, Mor-mor followed this cattle trail up to the head of a wash (on the left) looking for water. Lower-down the hill this turns into a stream, but further up there will often be a spring or seep. She is coming back to report her findings: no water but easy walking.

Every paddock had a cattle trough and she could reach this particular one from the uphill side. She remembered and ran over because walking up that huge hill was thirsty work.

This trough was near the wind turbine that powers the farmhouse. Mor-mor cannot reach the water, but she remembered that I gave her water in my hat here a couple of days earlier. So, she runs over and asks to borrow my hat.

Betrayed! A swamp dog is a dirty dog that needs a clean before coming back into the house. Mor-mor hates the hose so I dunked her into the trough for a bath. After swimming about for a minute I helped her out. She was not happy but this was less mean than the hose.

She still got water from the hat though. Right now I'm training her to drink from a sipper bottle because I can't have a wet hat when winter comes. She's learning.

Bonus image: Mor-mor enjoys being hand-fed a lollipop by her personal attendant. Such luxuries are part of her first-class upgrade to the human section of the car.

Mor-mor has excellent water sense. Next time I'm in a tricky spot, I know I could follow her to find water. I might need to dig a sip-well and purify the water but I won't be dying of dehydration if she's with me. Good dog!

Until next time.