Shelley the Lifeboat Labrador by John Periam Read Free Book Online Page B

she was able to find the centre of gravity of the plank and with head down carried along at speed dropping it every now and then.  My main concern was the shins of the passers by causing many to scurry to her left or right to avoid a collision.  On reflection I can honestly say that we did not get one bad comment regarding her new found pleasure! 
     
    I had a tennis racket and often used it to hit tennis balls along in front of the beach huts.  I did this early morning around 6 am when there were not many people around.  It gave Shelley a chance to run a long way returning the ball to me after each swipe of the racket.  On one occasion the ball bounced hard along the tarmac and over a stone wall.  All I heard in the distance was a thud and a yell.  Shelley had jumped over the wall by the lagoon to find to her horror a twenty foot drop onto the concrete below. She lay there motionless with the ball bouncing off towards the lagoon.  Running down the steps I was joined by another passer by who had witnessed the fall – we got there at the same time to find Shelley whimpering but alive.  After a few minutes she came around and stood up – with no visible injuries we made sure she was well.  What amused us was the way she walked to the lagoon – it appears she had landed on all fours bruising her pads in the process.  It was like watching two bowed legged cowboys walking into the sunset.  Not content with that she then jumped into the lagoon to retrieve the ball.  On the way back she stayed by me feeling a little sorry for herself!                                                    
     
    The beach played an important part in both of our lives. I loved the sea; like both of my late parents.  At any opportunity my mother would go to the beach at Hythe and swim, sometimes several times a day. She was always tanned and looked very fit.  My father every evening on his return from work always joined her for a dip in the English Channel ‘come rain or shine.’                   
     
    At weekends we always went to the same beach getting to know several local residents who were always there.  I never sat with them but was near enough to often have conversations. Shelley was always guaranteed a treat whenever they were there.
     
    Whenever I went for a swim Shelley would run in after me and swim beside me or around me – I could hold onto her tail and she would pretend to rescue me towing me onto the beach.  I remember leaving her once tied up to my beach chair (one of the light fold up types).  Before I knew it people were standing up and pointing and laughing.  Swimming out to me was Shelley towing the beach chair leaving an assortment of clothing and towels floating in her wake.  She was a true water dog!
     
    Always scrounging for food I recall one evening seeing her run along the waters edge past some beach fishermen.  She stopped and sniffed into one of their beach bags and retrieved their sandwiches.  There was little I could do other than call her and disappear into the distance with her following carrying a nice fresh pack of sandwiches. I never looked back until we had hidden by a row of beach huts.
     
    I eventually sold most of my furniture which no doubt pleased my aunt giving her the garage space back. There was little point in keeping it as there was no way I would be able to buy a new property with the financial problems I then had.
     
    I was doing very well at work and was promoted to Sales Training Manager. I still retained my area as a representative but from time to time ran sales    courses lasting several days at a hotel near Gatwick.  No problems bringing Shelley and during the day she spent her time with the chambermaids following them around. I have yet to find out what chambermaids did in the kitchens?
     
    The hotel also ran training courses for Dan Air staff. As there was a large swimming pool outside it was