Pool closes out season on dog day of autumn

Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Home News

Annie and Schiezer, right, enjoy a morning swim during the Doggie Paddle and Play Day at the Henderson Multigenerational Pool on Saturday.

By Frances Vanderploeg

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 | midnight

Doggie Paddle and Play

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Despite chilly weather with highs in the low 60s, 150 local residents found a reason to head to the Henderson Multigenerational Center's outdoor pool Saturday: Their four-legged furry friends.

With the pool officially closed for the season and on the verge of being drained until the weather warms up, the 110 pooches had a chance to take a dip, or just mingle with other dogs, for the first-ever Doggie Play Day.

"This is way better than a dog park," said Dave Atkinson, accompanied by wife, Jinny, and their dog Annie. "There's more dogs and more room. It's great."

Annie was named The Water-Eating Dog early in the day after showing off her determination to bite any water splashed near her face during the pet trick contest, he said. Despite her water-eating prowess, she lost to a dog who played dead when its owner pretended to shoot it.

Several contests were held for both the small dogs and large dogs, including a costume contest, a pet-owner look-a-like contest and best pet trick. Trophies were handed out to all of the winners.

Colleen O'Brien, pool operation specialist for the center, said organizers expected 400 people, but the weather played a part in keeping many away. A much greater number of dogs came out for the big dog session later in the morning, when the temperature had risen to the low-to-mid 60s.

Plenty of humans were wearing sweaters and long pants to guard against the chill.

With the pool entry designed like a beach, the first step no deeper than their paws, some dogs found they could be more courageous than they may have been at home, including Annie. She normally swims out as soon as she's placed in the water, Jinny Atkinson said.

That wasn't the case during the play day. Annie was too excited about retrieving her ball to worry about getting wet, and so she repeatedly waded into the water without hesitation.

Other dog owners found the entry to be an asset for their dogs also.

"The zero-entry pool is great, because the dogs don't have to worry about the drop-off," Barb Czech said, accompanied by daughter, Crystal Czech, and beagles, Chloe and Weasley. "I like the dog park, but this is different."

Along with open access to the pools, the dogs and owners had nearly a dozen vendor booths to browse through, featuring American Canine Training, Heaven Can Wait, the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Red Cross.

Some visitors said they had been to similar events at Las Vegas venues, but having it at a local pool was better. For others, having it at all was a welcome change to the normal doggie activities.

"What a unique thing to have," Barb Czech said.

Several children played with dogs around the pool, and agreed the event was a hit.

"I like that the dogs get to play in the pool once a year," Billie Jean Reafs, 6, said.

Frances Vanderploeg can be reached at 990-2660 or frances.vanderploeg@hbcpub.com.