By Kendall De Menech. I have been swimming since I was very young. My earliest traceable memory is diving off a raft into Okanagan Lake and swimming underwater to my dad’s arms. I think I was two or three years old.

When one swims a lot they become akin to the water. Buoyancy, resistance and propulsion become as natural as reclining, rising and running. Gravity soon has two extreme ends; on land gravity is always there, in water it is not.

A number of years ago I took a one day seminar on Watsu, a massage technique involving water and Shiatsu. I was wondering if it could be applied to dogs in the pool. Watsu was developed years ago in the States. The concept is that the trained massage therapist cradles and stretches the client in very warm water (95degees).

It is a quiet, relaxing and hypnotic session found to be very beneficial, especially for seniors and disabled folk as well as healthy individuals in need of stress reduction. (You can Google Watsu Massage for more info). My instructor scoffed when I said I worked with dogs. “You cannot do Watsu if you cannot hold the patient!” he said. I left with new knowledge but not a lot of hope at utilizing this technique.

I was surprised to find I could relate to the Zen of Watsu, though. One memory triggered was when I was scuba diving in Hawaii. I was at about 30 feet and the waves were coming and going against the sandy beach nearby. I lay on the bottom and the waves rocked me back and forth with their gentle force.

It was February and the humpback whales were courting and I could hear their calls through the water. I was definitely “in the zone” with the whales’ songs, the rolling of the water and the joy of buoyancy. It was so amazing. I was in the moment, in an ocean of an isolation tank, warmed by sun’s rays filtering down through the depth, and mesmerized by the distant lovers’ songs and the rock of the waves. I could easily have fallen asleep, much to the dive master’s concern.

On more than one occasion Watsu has naturally come to my program. Each time I swim little Gracie, the miniature horse, she gifts me with that rare trusting moment when she lets me roll her to the side and she floats. I whisper to Gracie, she closes her eyes a little and we gently sway together in the pool. The room grows so quiet! She can faithfully hold the float for 3 or so minutes. We believe she likes it and relaxes because it feels good on her body. That is Watsu.

A second animal to love Wastu was Celine. She was a vibrant little shepherd cross, 17 years of age. The senior years had ravaged her little body but she still had spirit. She could walk into the pool room with help. She had loved to swim in her early days. But once in the pool she would not kick. Her swim involved supporting her, drifting her around the pool and giving her a pain free, warm and loving time. Sweet little Celine passed away last month and is greatly missed.

Water can be fearful to some and a sanctity to others. Trusting it, enveloping in it, working with it not against it, opens a second world on earth. Gravity or non-gravity; to be so lucky to have a choice! It is such a gift. Because I now have seen animals choose to enter this unique space, it confirms to me once again that animals and humans really are not that different. Together in the pool we can communicate in the silent language of Watsu.

Editor’s Note: Kendall De Menech owns and operates K9 H2O which hosts an indoor canine aquatic facility with diverse and multifunctional programming.

Secluded in a casual working environment, the facility offers an 80,000 liter, warm water indoor swimming pool, retrofitted and sanitized to accommodate dogs.

All swims are by appointment only. Please call or fax to: 604-864-2284.

Email:k9h2o@shaw.caWeb: www.k9h2o.net