A Puppy's First Sea Breeze in Hua Hin

Hermes came to us as a Shiba Inu puppy about three and a half months ago, and this was his first real trip away from Hang Dong. We drove down to Hua Hin for a weekend, and I wondered whether a little dog who still wobbles on the stairs could handle the sea.

He stood at the edge of the waves with his tail curled high, then took one cautious step. The water rushed over his paws and he jumped straight back into my arms. It was funny and a little heartbreaking. By the second morning he was chasing the foam along the sand, digging holes and running back to check on me every few seconds.

What I remember most is the quiet evening when he fell asleep on my lap on the hotel balcony, sandy and tired, with the sound of the waves below. I am older than most people who bring puppies home, so I think about how many seasons we will have together. Hua Hin, for now, will do just fine.