GREENFIELD – All eyes were on Daisy, a 7-month-old boxer mix, when she trotted onto the pool deck sporting a two-piece pink and white swimsuit.
Daisy was among the dozens of dogs who splashed around at the Kathy Dowling Aquatics Center on Saturday, Aug. 13 for the annual PAWS Pool Party, which benefits the Partners for Animal Welfare Society.
PAWS board member Mike McGuire said this was the 17th year for the annual event, which generates $1,000 to $2,000 annually for the nonprofit’s adoption and spay/neuter programs.
Each summer, PAWS invites the public to bring their pooches to the pool at the end of the official swim season to spend a few hours splashing around and making friends.
Daisy’s owner, Christy Clark, was heading in to meet friends she had made at the Beckenholdt Park dog park in Greenfield.
“I think this is a good opportunity for all the (dog owners) in Greenfield to get together and have a great time. It’s a good end-of-summer event,” she said as Daisy enjoyed lots of pets from passersby.
Jessica Cooney brings her two tiny, fluffy dogs – both a Bichon-Shih Tzu mix – to the swim party each year.
On Saturday, they were floating around on a round blue float that Cooney pulled around the pool, along with her mother’s dog, Quinn. All three dogs were wearing doggy flotation vests in case they fell in.
“We’ve been coming here awhile. It’s a good time and a chance to raise money for a good organization,” Cooney said.
Blue skies and mild temperatures made for a beautiful day at the pool, where a wide variety of breeds were represented.
About 100 people and their pets will taking advantage of the cool water shortly after the event opened at 11 a.m.
Rob and Debbie Andry said their 6-year-old Newfoundland, Gibbs, is a big fan of the water, whether it’s in a pool, a creek or in the Gulf of Mexico.
“He absolutely loves it,” said Debbie as her big, black dog stood dripping on the pool deck, clutching a ball in his mouth.
Mable, a sizable Great Dane, had her paws immersed in the shallow end of the children’s wading zone as Aspen, her pit bull sister, splashed around happily nearby.
Their owner, Trent Qualkinbush, sported a Hawaii shirt with pictures of Mable’s face all over it for the special event.
He and his wife, Debbie, made a big splash with Mable at last year’s Mutt Strutt in downtown Greenfield, where Mable was dressed as a horse and the couple was dressed for the Kentucky Derby.
The Greenfield couple said they try to support as many PAWS fundraisers as they can, including pet photos with Santa each December.
Next month, Hometown Classic Pizza in Greenfield will host a dine-to-donate event with a percentage of proceeds going toward the animal welfare organization.
For more information on PAWS, visit Facebook.com/PAWSHancock.
