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Practice Safe Splashing So Animals Can Enjoy The Water

Photo by KAARLA McKENZIE

Devan McKenzie, 9, of Lutz, and her dog Sheila hang out by the pool where Sheila nearly drowned.

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By KRISTEN LEVINE

Tribune correspondent

Published: June 11, 2008

Updated:

Last week, Kaarla McKenzie awakened suddenly with an uneasy feeling at 3:30 a.m.

"My instinct was to run to the bedroom window, which looks out to the pool cage," she recalls. Outside in the darkness, McKenzie could see ripples in the pool, but little else. She ran out back to find Sheila, the family's 13-year-old border collie-chow mix, clinging desperately to the side of the pool with her front paws.

"She was so panicked that I couldn't pry her feet from the ledge, so I had to jump in the pool and carry her to safety," McKenzie says.

The family's best guess is that Sheila, who loves to sleep poolside on an elevated ledge, probably rolled over in her sleep and fell in. She had been in the pool before and swam out safely, but the darkness and disorientation probably led her to panic.

"I shudder to think what might have happened if I didn't wake up," McKenzie says.

Though largely unreported, accidental pet drownings are not uncommon, especially in Florida, where so many of us have pools in our yards. Not all pets are good swimmers. Some, such as Sheila, are elderly and may not have the ability to save themselves.

Pools with a vinyl liner offer no grip for the animal, and vertical ladders are nearly impossible for pets to climb. Slippery pool walls offer no easy exit, either. Discovering this, your pet may panic, which will quickly lead to exhaustion. Barking may be difficult for a dog in the water.

The solution is to train your pet to get to the safest pool exit. Introduce pets to the water slowly, and never leave pets unattended around a pool.

Some dog breeds are water lovers, such as Labrador retrievers. But even the best swimmers lose agility as they age.The best drowning defense for children is equally practical for pets. Install a see-through pool fence or barrier, required by law for all new pools in Florida. Keep it closed.

Keep all doors leading to the pool area closed. Some pets are good at opening doors with their noses, so make sure there are no gaps between door jambs and sliding-glass-door runners.

Try not to let pets drink from the pool. The chlorine and other chemicals can cause gastric distress, dry mouth or eye irritation. Keep a bowl of fresh, cool water poolside and, after swim time, hose pets off with fresh water.

At the beach, keep dogs leashed at all times unless the beach allows off-leash options. Overheating and sun exposure can lead dogs to exhaustion more quickly than you might expect. The sand can be very hot, and dogs perspire through the pads on their paws. Be sure they rest periodically in shade, and offer plenty of fresh water.

Apply waterproof sunscreen to noses, inside ears and any other exposed skin.

Dogs on deck should wear a pet life jacket.

Skamper Ramp, a polypropylene water rescue device, prevents animals from drowning by allowing them to exit water on their own.

Kristen Levine can be reached at Kristen@fetchingcommunications.com. For past columns and other related information, go to TBO.com, keyword: pets.

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