The annual dog swim at Mill Woods Pond in Wethersfield caused a big splash and generated waves of unforgettable moments for local dogs and their owners, on Aug. 17.
Presented with the opportunity to go off-leash and dive into the water after tennis balls – and each other – even some of the biggest water-lovers seemed to hesitate at first, as though they really couldn’t believe their good fortune.
It didn’t take long though, before the pond was filled with splashing dogs of all sizes and breeds. Some owners joined their dogs in the drink. Others sat in the shade or ambled along in the sand, keeping an eye on their best friends and picking up after them when the inevitable happened. Some came with friends and family, others met up with dog owners they see every year at the event.
Aside from a small fee, the main requirement for doggie swimmers is that they be licensed, up to date on vaccinations, and “friendly.”
Even so, it is impossible to predict how dogs will behave when the excitement kicks in. There was the usual yipping and chasing, a few barkers who didn’t want to share their tennis balls, and some canines had to be spoken to for becoming a little overzealous.
Christi brought her 6-month-old pug, Winston, to the dog swim, and she said he was excited and happy to be there until a larger dog thought it would be fun to pick him up in his mouth. It was a tense moment, and Winston appeared to be no worse for the wear, but Christi said she thought it might improve the event if the smaller dogs and the larger ones swam together at different times.
It was a mild day, the sun in and out. Geese played in the water near the edge of the property line. People chatted and dogs romped. Provided by the Wethersfield Parks & Recreation Department, the annual dog swim has become a late summer staple for the area’s canines and their owners.
