Alexandria’s Small Dogs Make a Splash at Charles Houston Pool
Small dogs chased tennis balls, practiced their paddling and kept Alexandria lifeguards on their toes during the first of three annual Dog Swim events.
ALEXANDRIA, VA—The dog days of summer took on a wonderfully literal meaning Saturday as Alexandria pups traded sidewalks and dog parks for an afternoon at the swimming pool.
Dogs weighing less than 25 pounds were invited to take over Memorial Pool at the Charles Houston Recreation Center on Aug. 29 for the first of the City of Alexandria’s three annual Dog Swim events.
Approximately 30 dogs participated in the first session of the day, with additional groups rotating through the pool during three later sessions.
“This morning, we had about 30 dogs, which was very chaotic and very loud—but they had a great time,” said lifeguard Lindsey Baylor, who was on duty supervising the event. “We supply tennis balls and Frisbees, and we have treats. Everyone just has a great time. They will all sleep very well tonight.”
Memorial Pool’s gradual beach-style entrance gives smaller and more cautious swimmers an easier way to test the water. Not every dog arrives knowing how to dog-paddle—or how to find the way out again.
Baylor said lifeguards occasionally must help dogs that become frightened or confused in the water.
“On occasion, we have to rescue some dogs that are kind of having a panic attack, or they don’t remember how to get out of the pool,” she said.
Watching which dogs dive right in—and which ones would rather remain poolside—is part of the fun.
“I think it is the best event of the summer,” Baylor said. “The pool is neutralized chemical-wise, and it’s an opportunity for all the dogs and families to have fun with their dogs in the pool. You get to see who sinks or swims, which is, like, the best part.”
Many families make the swims an annual tradition and register for events at several of Alexandria’s pools, Baylor said.
Two More Alexandria Dog Swims Are Coming
The fun is not over. Two additional Dog Swim events are scheduled in September, and both will welcome friendly dogs of all sizes.
Warwick Pool
3301 Landover St.
Saturday, Sept. 12
Sessions begin at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.
Old Town Pool
1609 Cameron St.
Sunday, Sept. 13
Sessions begin at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Each session lasts 45 minutes. Registration costs $5 per dog, and all participating dogs must have proof of a current rabies vaccination. Registration is required for each dog rather than each person.
Information and registration are available on the City of Alexandria’s Dog Swims webpage.
When The Zebra stopped by Memorial Pool in the early afternoon, five or six determined dogs were swimming after balls, climbing out of the water—and promptly jumping back in to do it all over again.
As The Zebra prepared to leave, another group of dogs and their families began arriving.
“Oh, look,” Baylor said. “More are coming in now.”
