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Who let the dogs in?

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By KLINT LOWRY

The Suncoast News

Published: November 13, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - The poolside "no running," "no diving" rules were suspended Saturday at the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center.

So was the swimsuit requirement.

With the swimming season drawing to a close, the center opened its wading and diving pools for people to bring their dogs in for a refreshing dip. A couple dozen dogs and their owners took advantage of the opportunity to let their dogs frolic, chase tennis balls and one another in and around the pool.

Many municipal pool facilities have similar "dog days," and recreation supervisor Angie Wolcott decided it might be worth trying in New Port Richey.

"It's a big hit with people and their pets," Wolcott said. "They love taking them out."

For a small fee, the dogs were free to jump in, splash around, come out, shake off, roll around in the grass and then do it all over again - for two hours. They day was divided into swimming sessions for smaller and larger dogs.

Wolcott was crossing her fingers about attendance at the inaugural effort.

"We've had a lot of phone calls about it, particularly with the big dogs," Wolcott said. "The little dogs are not as much about the water. Maybe they get cold."

Predictably, the small-dog portion of the day was a bit quieter, with the dogs and their owners reticent about cutting loose. But when it was the big dogs' turn and some of the hunting breeds showed up, the party was on.
David Cochran was one of the lifeguards on duty, although his workload mostly consisted of throwing tennis balls and reminding the humans in attendance that they weren't supposed to join their pets in the pool. Cochran recently attended a similar event in Largo and saw how big this sort of event can be once the public is aware of it.

The Largo pool has been holding dog pool parties for five years; this year's drew more than 100 dogs.

"People were just letting their dogs run around; everyone was having a good time," Cochran said.

For people who have water-loving dogs, it's a great way to let them have fun, he said.

"It's good exercise for them, and it's a safe place to let their dogs go out and swim without having to worry about something in the water hurting them," Cochran said. "If you take them to a beach, you have to worry about stingrays and jellyfish and everything, but if you take them to a pool, you can just let them go."

For anyone who might be concerned about cleanliness, Wolcott said no one is going to be swimming in the pools for about four months.

"These are all being drained and scrubbed and cleaned," Wolcott said. "That's why we had it at the end of the season."

She added that the intention is to make the dog swim an annual event.

Reporter Klint Lowry can be reached at (727) 815-1067 or klowry@suncoastnews.com.

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