It’s hard for me to believe that little more than a week ago, I was in Wellfleet, in the house I’ve rented for the majority of the last 6 or 7 years. This dreamy, cottage-y house, just across a dirt path road from Herring Pond, is Jeter’s favorite summer place on earth. When it wasn’t possible to rent the property in 2022, we both missed it dearly.
After having spent a month in Italy, and away from Jeter, (a situation which would not have been possible without N & Q), I was sick with guilt. This dog and I are attached to one another and there’s no doubt whom his favorite person in the world is – ME! A return to the Cape for a week of swimming, walks and togetherness was the perfect antidote – for all of us.
Jeter and I arrived on Saturday, a little before 3:00. The drive, which I had dreaded, ended up being smooth sailing and I was feeling relaxed. As soon as I parked the car, Jeter knew exactly where we were and was wicked* excited, yet amazingly patient as I unpacked the Mini and put the groceries away. By 3:30 it was time for his inaugural Wellfleet swim, his first in two years…
It was the first of countless swims. Over the course of the week, Jeter launched himself off our dock with unbridled glee dozens of times. Once in the water, he paddled the pond for extended lengths of time splashing the water to create bubbles which he chomped on. His joy was palpable.
We began each morning with a walk to the Atlantic to greet the new day and to wade into one (or sometimes both) of the sandy bottomed ponds we passed along our way. While there were a few occasions when I left Jeter behind for an excursion – to P’town, the trails at the Audubon Center or a meal out, most of the week we were together.
The weather during most of the week wasn’t really great. It was damp and cool and I wore long pants and a sweater most mornings. There was a lot of time spent hanging out on the screened in porch, reading and lots of walks, rather than hours lazing on the beach. Jeter didn’t mind the lack of bright sun and I was more than happy to indulge him, allowing him to swim to his heart’s content, which made for a very tired boy.
On this particular Cape visit, I found myself talking to Jeter even more than usual. Maybe that’s weird, but this dog is basically like a fourth son to me is and I truly believe he understands me, much as I understand him. I talk to him about all sorts of things and he indulges me without judgement or response beyond a gentle tail wag.
After losing my last dog, Cassidy, when she was 12.5, I’ve been intensely conscious of how brief a dog’s life really is, which makes me committed to giving this guy his best experience on the earth as possible. Thus, the week at the beach every single summer I can.
Jeter is absolutely the best version of himself when on vacation, aside from taking advantage of the uncovered trash can, that is. He is friendly to strangers, less inclined to bark and, generally, happily exhausted at the end of each day. I imagine that when he’s on the Cape he feels similarly to how I feel when I’m in Europe – “Ah, this is where I belong…”
This year he seemed particularly tired at the end of the week, even charmingly so. When my friend, Sally, and I had dinner outdoors in Hyannis after deciding to extend our Cape stay by an additional night, Jeter laid at our feet mellowly, eyes closed. He was absolutely adorable.
Renting a property to ensure that my dog gets a week of swimming and hanging with friends, is most certainly an indulgence, but truly is a joy. Having this time with him is something I will always cherish. See you in 2024, Herring Pond.
*that’s how people in MA speak, it’s probably related to that whole witchcraft/burning at the stake thing that was popular in the area a long time ago.
DelSo 
That pic says a million words!!!