The Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center was truly gone to the dogs Sunday night as 24 pooches played at a pool party for the first time in our town’s history.
The Salida pool opened its doors to dogs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. for Doggie Dip before the pool was closed for two weeks of routine cleaning and maintenance.
“I hope it’s the start of a tradition,” said Trish Bews, Salida recreation manager. “Why not let dogs have their night?”
Rather than mutt mayhem, pets and their owners soaked or frolicked in the natural springs water. It was a bit of a dog love fest as owners chatted and Labrador retrievers vied for balls. “Look how happy all the dogs are,” said Bill Smith of Salida.
Jim Heimen of Salida brought his dog Sydney, a border collie, to help her heal after reconstructive tendon surgery. “She’s not supposed to run and play, so I figured swimming was the best physical therapy,” Heimen said.
A Labrador boxer puppy named Suka was continually in and out of the water. “The river is too cold because she’s so small,” said owner Jenny Gee of Salida. “She’s loving this.”
A few of the dogs certainly weren’t as enthused about Doggie Dip as their owners, and some pets looked longingly at the door. “We found out a basset hound can swim pretty well but isn’t happy about it,” said Tony Bussing, co-owner of Gone to the Dogs boutique on First Street in Salida.
Bussing looked around the pool and said, “Besides one little dog panting, it’s wonderful.”
Lifeguard Jim Redmond pondered the “application of lifesaving techniques for canines” if necessary, specifically mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Fortunately, Redmond’s skills were not needed.
Like any pool party, there were a few rules. Dogs had to be current on shots, and owners signed Rec program waivers. Dogs had to be leashed to enter the building, and owners were responsible for their dogs’ behavior. Only nonaggressive dogs (and owners) were urged to attend this event.
The water was chlorinated to meet state standards, and the filters were turned off. A small ramp was nearby for dogs exiting the 25-meter cool pool but was used mostly by children.
The cool pool was approximately 85 degrees, and the zero-entry pool was about 95 degrees. Pool staffers recommended owners monitor their dogs in the warmer pool so the animals didn’t become overheated. Staffers also suggested owners rinse their dogs after swimming.
The cost was $5 per dog, and humans were free.
Bews emphasized that the pool, deck and locker rooms will be scrubbed top to bottom after Doggie Dip.
Looking ahead to the next Doggie Dip in May 2010, Bussing suggested, “If you’ve got a Lab, bring your own ball.”
The Salida pool reopens at 10:30 a.m. on Sat., Oct. 17, for parent/tot or lap swimming and noon for public swimming.
I love this!? This is so Salida? Having grown up on a lake in Wisconsin, I have swum with a million dogs, and had that hilariously-terrifying feeling of looking up at a Lab’s digging paws as they searched frantically for you on the surface…you don’t want to go up, but you are laughing underwater. Thanks for sharing.
I look forward to this event next year! What a great activity for the dogs and their families!! Good job Salida!
This event was so much fun! Finnegan swam for a solid hour and slept like a rock that night. We can hardly wait to leap into the pool next May for another awesome swim.
I wish I had a dog..especially a lab..especially my poor departed Sabbath who would of Looooovvvved this.
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