The most important thing is that the Golden Retriever beats his owner. No, the most important thing is that Jeff, his owner, swims at all. Growing up by the shore he protested day camp and boy scout camp by never learning to swim. That's why Jake's been so good for him. The puppy wasn't three months old yet when they walked the beach and a stick Jeff threw landed in the water and Jake ended up swimming past it. Way past it. Two lifeguards went after him in a rowboat, Jeff sitting huddled over in his lifejacket, shaking, while they got the wet dog on board. After that, they were always together. Jeff took Jake for walks, Jake took Jeff for swims. Four miles a week, four years now, pacing each other, in training, but in competition the mutt breaks away quickly, leaving Jeff far behind. Keeping up with the pack is what he was born for. What he knows best is not love, but food. Each day, before their swim, the two eat scrambled eggs, dry, with tons of salt.