Dog owners and their pets cruised onto the boats of the Lake Sumter Line recently for the Doggy Cruise, an event held by The Villages Recreation and Parks Department at Lake Sumter Landing.
Many locals drove onto the lake to let their poodles enjoy the wind blowing on their faces and savor beautiful landscapes, a tradition all attendees like to enjoy every year.
Not just locals, the event also hosted people from distant cities. Phil and Jeanine Miano, from Tampa, were on an impromptu trip to The Villages when they came to know about the Doggy Cruise.
Initially, the couple was planning to travel to South Carolina, but they postponed fearing they would run into gas stations with fuel shortages. The Mianos thought of rewarding their beagle, Dallas, who was accompanying them on their trip. Dallas was calm and almost immediately went to sleep, only opening an eye if any dog barked or howled.
“It’s a perfect coincidence that we found something fun to do with Dallas while exploring The Villages,” Phil said. “It’s a really great place, and it’s fun that they offer things to do with your dog.”
“I’m so glad we got to do this,” Jeanine agreed.
Brad Wahrendorf, of the Village of Osceola Hills, was onboard with Zoey, a Shihtzu mix who enjoyed meeting everyone on the little boat.
Zoey had befriended her seatmate Frida, a West Highland white terrier, by the end of the tour.
Frida and her owner, Gerri Reid, of the Village Rio Grande, enjoyed the pleasant cruise.
Joyce Albert, of the Village of Sabal Chase, brought both her dogs with her to relax on the water.
Albert’s dog, Oliver, a 14-year-old Labradoodle, was calm and sat by people’s feet through the whole trip.
“He knows when it’s time for him to rest,” Albert said. “If he doesn’t want to walk anymore he’ll just sit right down and not move.”
Her other dog, Crystal, a 4-year old Goldendoodle-Labradoodle mix, was very excited, hopped right up onto the bench seats and aimed her nose into the wind, ready to spot plenty of birds that flew over them.
“She is so adventurous, and she loves water and playing fetch,” Albert said. “She might jump overboard if you let her.”