One sunny morning, Freya’s daddy says,
“Let’s go to the beach!”
Freya’s eyes shine.
“Yes! Let’s go!”
Then she pauses.
“Do you think Poppy will like the sand and the sea?”
Daddy laughs.
“There’s only one way to find out.”
They all start collecting the things they’ll need for a day at the beach. Mummy prepares the picnic, Freya finds her bucket and spade, Daddy gets the blankets, towels and everyone’s swimwear — and Poppy brings her red ball.
Poppy happily jumps into the car. She is wearing her new harness, which Mummy clips to the seatbelt.
It isn’t a long drive, and soon Freya can see the sea.
As they arrive, they smell the salty breeze and look at the sand stretching far ahead.
Freya kicks off her sandals and runs towards the waves, laughing as the cool water rushes over her feet.
Poppy bounds after her, paws sinking into the soft sand.
Then — splash!
Poppy dashes straight into the shallow water, her tail wagging furiously. She stops to watch a tiny wave roll towards her… then leaps up as if the water is trying to chase her.
Freya giggles.
“Isn’t it exciting, Poppy!”
With another happy bark, Poppy splashes straight back into the water.
Freya throws Poppy’s ball, and Poppy dashes through the waves to fetch it.
She brings it back and — rrrr — Poppy shakes herself.
Water sprays everywhere!
“Ahh! Poppy!” Freya squeals, giggling as she’s splattered.
Mummy laughs, wiping her sunglasses, and Daddy quickly puts a tea towel over the picnic bag.
Delighted and full of energy, Poppy rolls in the sand… then trots over and presses her wet, sandy head against Freya, rubbing it dry on her clothes.
“Now I’m all wet and sandy!” Freya laughs.
Freya gets changed into her swimwear and paddles in the shallow water, with Poppy sometimes trotting behind her and sometimes dashing ahead.
Mummy and Daddy settle on the blankets with their books, keeping an eye on Freya and Poppy.
Freya collects a few pretty stones and shells for a craft project to do at home.
Then she and Poppy join Mummy and Daddy on the picnic blanket. They enjoy fruit and sandwiches while watching the waves.
Poppy is tired but happy, and once she’s had a bit of her own food, she curls up beside Freya, the sun drying her wet fur.
As the sun begins to set, they decide it’s time to pack up and head home.
Freya hugs Poppy.
“You are a messy pup… but now I know you love the sea. We can come again another time. Then we’ll build a sandcastle. Would you like that?”
Poppy cocks her head as if trying to understand.
But Freya sounds happy, so she simply wags her tail — which Freya takes as a “yes”.