We converted our small swimming pool (2mx5m) into a pond. We have an floating island of lush plants and some water lilies struggling but persevering. And we have some gold fish. The algae grows in abundance and the floor of the pool is now brown with mud and debris (the water is clear). It looks like a very natural pond! Snowie has never wanted to swim in our pool; in fact, seemed stressed if there was any expectation that he should swim. He goes in every day, down the steps and walks along the pool seat along the wall, drinks some water, wallows a bit, and then comes out. But he has refused to swim and retrieve a ball from the middle of the pool even though he'll happily race into a lagoon and swim to retrieve a ball. But today he retrieved his ball from our pool! And we think it's cos the bottom is so dark that he's not confused as he might've been when it was a blue pool (or whatever is going through his brain). Whatever it is, we're very excited that he's finally swimming in our pool! He had so much fun, tossing his ball about and into pool, racing down the steps and plunging into the pool to swim to retrieve it, speedy turn around and to the pool seat and back out of the pool, racing around the pool like a racehorse. To be repeated all over again. (Never mind that the water lilies look worse than ever after being thrashed about!)
