the closest neighbor I have is ΒΌ of a mile away.
We were just talking about food for him. Our plan was to take him to the Vet as soon as we can... (yes, he's been to a Vet and is fully ready to come home with us).... we'd take him just to learn about food, (he/she is on puppy food at the moment and will be for ? time) - - and learn anything else we need to know.
The life preserver does make sense, I guess. We often anchor far from shore and there is no way for the dog to get back onboard without a helping hand. Not that we'd forget he was out there.
One of my plans for exercise was swimming... I have land on a river BUT....not right now. We still have flood water coming down and will have throughout the summer and probably into autumn.