my new lab & my first daugter

Question
Hi Labman, I now have two dogs, one I have had since she was 8 weeks old.  I now have a lab I kind of adopted 2 months ago.  One I need to know how long can my lab swim for?  The other day she went into the lake and swam after a geese for about 30min.  I started freaking out because the ice had just melted and she was in the middle of the lake.  She never came back.  I had to get a paddle boat in the water.  She has ALWAYS listened to me when I called her to come back.  This time she did not.  Needless to say after about an hour I got her back.  Also how long will she be in heat for?  My original dog has been spade and I want to get Coco spade as well. One other thing, is it possible for a dog's tail to come out of socket? Aqua my first dog has been acting weird.  She has been taking her tail and holding it up. She is shepard, malamute and rott.  They are my children and I love them more than anything. They are very spoiled but right now I am low on money and can not afford a vet to look at Aqua's tail.  Please help with my questions... Thank you...

Answer
I am sorry I can't say how long a Lab can swim.  Some of them are very strong willed, and add in being heat, and likely you did the right thing chasing her down with the boat.  It might be better if you didn't let her swim while she is in heat.  It could lead to infections.  The worst of the heat cycle lasts about 3 weeks with the middle week being the most fertile time.  Watch her carefully.  Don't put anything past her when it comes to trying to get loose.  

Get her past the second week, and you can relax a bit.  She shouldn't come in season for about another 6 months.  I hope you can find the money before having to go through her being in heat again.  Thank you for giving her a home.  Sometimes our hearts are bigger than our pocketbooks.  If others were as responcible, we wouldn't struggle so finding homes for dogs.