I am so excited! My friends told me about the Belleair Causeway where the dogs get to run on the beach without being on a leash. So I loaded up Kaiah, Grayson, towels, fresh water and a bowl, and we headed out.

When we got there, Kaiah was excited because she saw the water. She loves to swim! Grayson has only been to the beach a couple times, and he had to stay on a leash. He had not actually gone swimming yet, so I was hoping. 

When we got there, it was great! The dogs got to run and play with each other and other dogs in the water, and a little on the beach area. Kaiah ran and waited for me to throw a ball into the water for her to swim out and fetch. Grayson kept looking around like he was in awe. 

The dogs were playing and running through the water, and Kaiah went swimming.

Then I looked over to the right, and there was a bird. "No big deal," I thought, but Grayson had another idea. With his prey drive, he couldn't help himself, so he took off after the bird.

He didn't catch it, but when I yelled for him to come back, he just looked at me and turned his head. I yelled for him again to come back, and he once again looked at me and turned his head. Kaiah looked as though she was watching a tennis match by looking at him, then me, him, then me.   

As I started to yell for him a third time and walk over to get him, Kaiah took it upon herself to run over to where he was and herd him back to me, the whole time being very vocal with him. 

It was quite funny, as if she was saying, "Did you hear Mom? She said to get over here! If you don't mind, she won't ever bring us back here again. Don't ruin this for us!" The whole way back to me and past me, they ran together, her pushing him toward me, being vocal.

I feel very lucky because Kaiah is such a mommy. She always watches Grayson and any dog I am fostering or babysitting while at the dog park, beach or home. She has an instinct that I could never teach her. 

If you are up for some fun at the beach off leash, and your dog is friendly and gets along with others, maybe we will see you at Belleair Causeway!

Ready for a trip to a dog beach? These three Tampa Bay area parks include dog-friendly beaches:

• Belleair Causeway, Belleair Bluffs
• Fort De Soto Dog Park, St. Petersburg
• Davis Islands Dog Park, Tampa