A Little Relief for those Dog Days of Summer
More than 300 dogs enjoyed frolicking Sept. 6 at the Hilliard East Pool, the highest number yet since Hilliard established the “Doggie Dip.”
“This is still my favorite event that we throw every season. It’s always chaotic but in the most amazing way,” said Lindsey Dembowski, aquatics recreation coordinator of the Hilliard Recreation and Parks Department.
For nearly the past 20 years, the city of Hilliard has staged an event known as “Doggie Dip” at the Clyde “Butch” Seidle Community Pool, 4450 Schirtzinger Road, also known as the East Pool.
The event is held each year, the next day after the city pool close for the season.
This was the first event that included vendors staged in the parking lot, including area restaurants and professional-service providers.
The event has grown to the point that the event was divided into two sessions with one period for dogs weighing less than 40 pounds and another for those weighing greater than 40 pounds.
Owners were not permitted in the pool with the dogs.
“This is the fourth year we have been here and we look forward to it every year,” said Hilliard resident Cole Dorco.
Dorco brought the family’s 5-year-old yellow Lab, Luna, to the pool.
“(Luna) was a little scared the first year but she remembers now and was excited as soon as we got into the parking lot. She jumped right in,” Dorco said.
Hilliard resident Cindy Clifford brought her dog, 3-year-old Frankie, a German shorthaired pointer lab mix.
“There are not too many places where dogs can do this,” said Clifford.
“It’s not only a chance for these dogs to swim and have fun, but also to socialize,” she said.
Pre-registration is required for the event each year and the nominal fee augments the operation of the city’s two pools, including the staffing of lifeguards, Dembowski said.