Pooch pool parties leave water ‘hairy’
Doggy paddles were to the fore as pooches splashed, leapt and fetched at pool parties across Christchurch.
Two Christchurch City Council pools hosted their fifth annual Pooch Pool Party at the weekend. All breeds, from chihuahua to great dane, were welcome to take a dip.
Every year, the events run in the first weekend of April, after the outdoor pools close to the public on March 31.
Council events team leader Jamie Graham said they were gaining in popularity every year. Last year, about 550 dogs took the plunge at Waltham pool and close to 200 in Templeton. Figures for this year were yet to be finalised.
The number and variety of dog breeds that turned out was “amazing”, he said. “It’s just one of those feel-good events our dog owners seem to love; they wait for it every season.”
Sessions were split into small, medium and large breeds. By the end, there was plenty of evidence the dogs had enjoyed getting wet. “The water was murky, and very hairy,” Graham said.
Waltham swimming pool was open on Saturday, and Templeton Summer Pool yesterday.
Jo Cederman took her parson russell terrier puppy, Olive, and her miniature schnauzer, Swifty, to Waltham pool.
Swifty was a 2-year veteran but it was 6-month-old Olive’s first time swimming, she said. It was “very cute” to see all the puppies gravitate to each other, “charging around like lunatics”. “It’s so good for social interaction for the dogs.”
Vendors sold products poolside, including balls and doggy ice cream, while the council’s animal-management team offered free microchipping.
“Seeing dogs, big smiles, chasing each other around and humans laughing, it was lovely,” Cederman said.
Everyone would have had “very tired little puppies when they got home”.
“Mine slept for the rest of the afternoon.”