The Labrador retriever is a very powerful swimmer, known for retrieving in all kinds of water conditions. They were originally bred for retrieving fish, back in the days when they fished on the Grand Banks. Then, when the fishermen landed on Newfoundland, they needed help getting food, so the Lab was used as a game god, too.

Since then, modern dog lovers find Labs to be excellent hunting companions, as well as smart and serene pets. This pair is of the latter variety and will be familiar to any water-loving family.

They're at Marblehead on Lake Erie. There's a beautiful lighthouse there, and rocks that overlook the lake, but every time there's a nor'easter, you get tremendous waves coming in. Mom was going to take the pup in for a lesson but the waves are too big, so there's no swimming today. - JW