Okay, you can stop laughing now. I’m not an over-protective Mom. I just had a feeling that our pugs might sink like stones if they ever jumped into the lake. So I took precautions. At first I was afraid they might feel self-conscious in their life jackets, and that the other “water dogs” might make fun of them. But that was not the case at all. They held their little smushed faces high and paddled around like little labs.

After doing a little research I found that it’s a common misconception that all dogs naturally know how to swim. Some breeds love to be in the water, while others stress out just being anywhere near it. But even retrievers and labs can have trouble staying afloat if they are elderly, sick, or overweight and out of shape. Dog life jackets might seem silly at first glance, but they are smart way to keep your dog safe in the boat and on the dock. Plus, they are just plain adorable. I found these Outward Hound beauties last summer at Petsmart.