Riaan -
Probably just as well you were not at home when the friends came calling; it's the sort of situation where I think that US-style gun laws are not quite as crazy a some believe them to be. The point being, the bad guys seem to have no problem finding them and only the folks in the white hats have difficulties. I can tell you that there have been many times when I wished I had a little Paulo Beretta tucked into my waistband when I have had to go out in winter to get wood in for the fire. There's something about being (currently) the only person in the building during the dead season; not thrilling at all.
Toke -
Dogs and the sea can be fun - our alsabrador was a great swimmer and she seemed to enjoy having somebody hang on to her tail and tow them; at least, she never complained and certainly didn't give a hint of teeth. However, there are times when dogs and small landings are dangerous if you don't think about all the possibilites. Once, her leash was tied to the railing on one such little structure here near home, and we were setting up a picnic. For some reason, she reversed and went right over the edge, and found herself hanging from said leash. I was in the water at once, and before I got to take the weight, my wife hauled her up and right over the railing with one arm: seventy-three pounds of pooch. Which just shows you how strength can come from nowhere. Not that my wife didn't have a full complement of arms, just that the other was holding on to the rail for dear life! All in all, I might as well have stayed dry.
The dog didn't develop a thing about the sea, though; she continued to love it. But then, she might have been a slow learner: she also ran and then skidded right off our terrace onto the grass, a few feet below, when her braking system couldn't cope with the tiles. The terrace wall is only about ten inches high - it's only there to retain the flowerpots from going over in the gales.
Rob C