End of Summer Dog Swims Around the Country Raise Money For Charity

At the end of the summer after community pools around the country close for the season many are opening their doors to local dog friends to enjoy a day or two of swimming with pool entry fees going to dog related charities. It is not something I have really thought about before. I thin it is a great idea perfect for the dogs to be able to get out and socialize, play in the water, get some exercise and just have fun. The pools get good press and people are probably more willing to go to a specific pool during the season if their dogs are allowed to play there once a year because it shows the pool knows that dogs lie to swim but because of health codes usually can’t let them in have found a way to make it happen. It is also great for local rescues or dog park improvements or renovations when the funding can come from a dog centered event. Once the event is over the pool can get cleaned normally and then winterized without violating health codes. The dogs all seem to love it swimming and jumping in to the water sometimes just with other dogs and sometimes their people are allowed in the water with them. Keep your eyes open for events taking place in your area. I know a lot of pools close after labor day weekend so events should be announced in your local communities.

Having grown up with a pool in my backyard I was never really a fan of community pools so it wasn’t something I looked for when I lived in NY. Then when we lived in Hong Kong and there were several community pools the weather allowed for them to be open year round so there wasn’t a day they could devote to opening the pool for the dogs and have it sanitized before the next morning’s opening. Plus for those in the community who had dogs that lied to swim they could just take them on a hike a rocky area by the water or if the dog didn’t get sea sick on a ferry ride to another part of the island for a dog friendly beach. For some dogs who ignored warnings that is was dangerous which I suspect were fake since there were oi and turtles thriving) there were little ponds in the community itself that they could technically get into. And now we have a pool in our backyard but Indiana hates going in even if I am carrying her the whole time and Davinia while she doesn’t mind it isn’t the biggest fan of swimming in our own pool. She prefers the neighbors pool or a pond she might like the beach but I have never taken them because the only dog friendly one around is just too polluted I suspect thought that Davinia would like it because she can just walk into the water but Indiana would probably try to drink the salt water which would be bad.