Kimi was as eager as the kids to hit the beach, even if she had no idea yet what a beach, ocean, or wave was. Once we reached the end of the trail to the sand, we all stopped long enough to remove socks and shoes and roll up our pants legs. Kimi, as impatient as ever to 'go forth, conquer and divide' bounced and hopped on the end of her leash, yipping at us to hurry up. When we were all cuffed and ready, she took up her usual position in the lead and began to run.

Have you ever tried to run in deep loose dry sand? Try as she might, Kimi was getting no where in a great big hurry! In fact she looked like a mighty sled dog pulling a heavy load the way her back legs were digging in and her shoulders were pulling against her lead. By the time we reached the wet firmer sand her tongue was already beginning to curl out of her tiny little mouth. A creature of boundless energy, she needed no rest yet and continued on in her quest for fun and adventure...and...well.. more fun.

The kids all went screaming past us headed toward open waters and Kimi joined in. After all, where there are kids, there is bound to be fun! She hopped, bounced and ran right with them, keeping up stride for stride with the slowest one. "YIP YIP YAHOOEY!" went Kimi and the kids. Voices blended and sounds mixed. Who went "YIP" and who shouted "YAHOOEY" doesn't really matter does it? Fact is, they were all headed straight for fun and waves. Now, keep in mind, Kimi still has no idea what this 'ocean' thing is, or how wet a 'wave' can be! I know that up above, sitting high on a cloud somewhere overhead the angels were chuckling in mischievious glee for they had 'forgotten' to tell Kimi that this is the part where they 'fear to tread'. And in rushed our Kimi...our foolish impulsive little Kimi. Straight into the white frothy foam of the cold Pacific waters.

WATER!?!! SCREECH!!!!! Ever seen a Sheltie slam on its brakes trying desperately to avoid disaster?? Even on wet sand Kimi slid pretty good! In one fluid, but not so graceful movement Kimi braked, slid, twisted, and turned, then put on the 'gas' and tried to speed right back out of the water. She managed to avoid a full body splashing, but her four tiny white feet got wet. Guess what? Kimi does NOT like water!

Once back to the safety of solid but wet sand, Kimi turned back to face that evil, wicked WET thing mommy called the "ocean" and yipped out her displeasure at its trickery. I laughed and tried to call her away but she wouldn't budge until she had chewed out that sneaky wave really good. As she yipped and yapped, bouncing and lunging at it, the wave retreated. You and I know that it is a natural thing for a wave to return to the ocean after splashing itself against the sand. Kimi however, is now convinced that SHE chased it off. Cock-sure of herself and her higher superiority, she turned and did that little Sheltie-strut back down the beach. You know the one...head held high, ears relaxed, big grin in place and tiny feet beating out a rythm of their own against the warm sands. A few feet down the beach Kimi threw one more look over her right shoulder and yipped loudly once more. Just for good measure you understand. She had to be sure the ocean knew who the boss was!

A little further down the beach while she was running around joyfully pouncing everything in sight something began swooping over head. These snow white objects in the sky raced their darker shadows on the sands and Kimi just had to join in. Never one to pass up a race, she chased after these shadowy creatures as they moved up the beach, swooped in circles and appeared to grow larger and smaller at will. Imagine Kimi's surprise and confusion when she fnally over-took one dark shape, only to find there was nothing there within it! How does one capture a shadow anyway? For fleeting as they are, once caught you find you've caught nothing but air!

Suddenly Kimi's ears perked and raised as the cries of the seagulls above her finally clicked in her head. Her small eyes of wonder followed her curiosity to the skies and she stood for a minute watching their arobatics in the air. Up, up, up they climbed, as Kimi's head raised high and tipped backwards to watch. Down, down, down they swooped, her head tilting to one side as she listened to their cries. Down they came, and up she jumped, as high as her little seven inch legs could carry her. Letting out a sharp "YIP!" that sounded a lot like "TAG!", Kimi would race off again as soon as her feet hit the sand. For the next few minutes Kimi and the seagulls palyed their game of 'tag' as Kimi chased their shadows and the seagulls swooped down over her head. Each time one came in low enough, Kimi would leap high into the air and yip, calling out "TAG!", only to race off again. With her ever present grin in place, and tiny pink tongue bouncing from the corner of her smile, Kimi's imagination had led her into yet another adventure filled with fun and games.

Soon the seagulls left, in search of food and Kimi happily trotted on ahead of us again. As she walked she grabbed every stone she found, dug up every sea shelll she came across and ''tasted' every piece of driftwood small enough for her to carry. As young as she is, Kimi is still smart enough to know that every opportunity lost is one gone forever, and she will leave no stone unturned in her quest for fun. Life will never pass by Kimi un-noticed for she views all of life thru her heart and her spirit, not just her eyes.

Never be afraid to explore the child within yourself lest you miss out on a lifetime of youthfulness.

walk in beauty Kristi & Kimi