Skyy Nyad! The Legacy Continues...
It was almost a year ago when Diana Nyad made the epic and record breaking swim from Cuba to Key West, FL. Diana landed on Smathers Beach 9/2/13 and history was made.
Diana Nyad arriving in Key West on Smathers Beach, Sept 2, 2013 after swimming from Cuba.
Well ladies and gentlemen, yesterday swimming history was made yet again in Key West. Yesterday Skyy went swimming for the first time in her entire life! I’ve written briefly about her before but for those of you not familiar, Skyy is my 8-year-old husky. In 2011 she tore her ACL; after surgery her ACL eventually re-tore and she was left with a limp, or strut as she refers to it.
I’d like to preface this story with the fact that for the past couple of days Skyy has been acting like a real fruit loop. I should have known she was up to something…
So anyways, last night I was at a birthday BBQ for my homeslice Shannon. Of course Skyy was my date. Shortly after I arrived and unloaded my award-winning bacon jalapeño deviled eggs, my buddy Scott asked if he could take Skyy down to the “secret” beach at the end of the park. Of course I said yes and off my girl went, trotting behind my friend Kristy’s dog Taz heading to the beach. About 15 minutes later Sherri and I decided to join the rest of the group and the dogs down at the “secret” beach.
As we started walking I realized how hot it was without being in the shade and immediately thought about Skyy. I told Sherri about how miserable Skyy probably was because it was so hot and there was no shade at that end of the park. Skyy has never been a water dog so for her to decide to take a dip never even crossed my mind. Anytime I put her in water and she gets right back out; even before she hurt her leg, she just never had an interest in swimming.
You can imagine my surprise when we rounded the corner and I saw my little Skyy-girl’s white head bobbing in the water as she was swimming around. She had the biggest smile on her face, grinning from ear to ear. Of course, proud mama mode kicked in and I immediately started cheering for her; “go Skyy, go Skyy!” “I’m so proud of you! Go Skyy, go Skyy!”
As soon as I got close enough I shed my cover up and immediately started towards the water. Skyy greeted me at the beach and waded into the water with me. She started swimming laps around me and still had a grin from ear to ear. It was the best day of her life, and mine. When she got home last night she was worn out, and understandably so. She did something great yesterday and I’ve never been more proud. Go Skyy, go Skyy!
PS. Unfortunately none of us had our phones with us to document the actual first swim with a picture or video. Just another reason why #ineedagopro.