Families bring their dogs to the pool in New Concord

NEW CONCORD – During a couple of days after the New Concord pool closes and before the weather gets cold, families can bring their dogs to the pool to run and swim.

While running past “No Running” signs and swimming unsupervised in the child pool area, dogs reunited or met each other for the first time during this year’s event on Saturday.

The event, called Dog Days at the Pool and which costs families a $5 per dog admission, is mainly a social event but also helps raise money to build a dog park in the area, said Judy Beetem, program director for New Concord Area Arts and Recreation District.

Throughout the pool area were tennis balls, flying discs, and buckets of fresh water. There were Labrador retrievers, mixed breeds, old, young, some that loved water and some that didn’t know how to swim.

Harriet and Miram Mullins, the 10-year-old and 7-year-old owners of a pug named Winston, won a dog look-alike contest about halfway through the event. They received a gift basket of dog toys and accessories.

“(Winston) is very cute. He’s probably the cutest dog here,” Miriam said, adding that she herself was cute as well and that winning the contest made her feel “very good.”

Traditionally, the event has been one day only, but because of participation numbers, it is happening Sunday as well, from noon to 2 p.m. at the New Concord area pool on John Glenn School Road.

Beetem said they ask that families bring only dogs that are up to date on vaccinations and good with other people, including kids, and other dogs.

Fourteen-year-old David Johnson and his brother, Aaron Johnson, 10, brought their dog, Brutus, to the pool Saturday. Brutus, a chocolate lab mix, loves to swim.

“He’s a great swimmer and loves the water,” David said.

“He burns off energy,” Aaron added.

David and Aaron took turns, along with their grandfather, Charles Johnson, throwing a flying disc into the pool for Brutus to jump in after. This is their fourth or fifth year attending the Dog Days event.

“Usually, the day after he’s done swimming, he’s really sore,” David said.

ksnyder2@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

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Twitter: @KL_Snyder