a fellow veered off the path to watch copper run along the sea wall and jump down onto a slab of concrete jutting into the surf. he's so smart!  he said he'd seen me swimming with copp before and told a lady i think he may be drowning. she assured him i was just swimming. i said if it looks like i'm drowning i'm probably doing some ungainly water ballet, and if i was drowning copp would lend me his tail and pull me in, perhaps.