We are coming up on an event that is, quite literally, in my top three favorite things we do each year.
The Puppy Paddle will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Chambersburg Aquatic Center. As you would expect, it’s the last time the pool will be opened and a great way to say goodbye to the summer and get ready for fall.
The chlorine is drained from the pool and the pups get to take a dip. It is so much fun!
I think part of my fascination lies in the fact that I can’t swim – and it’s not for not trying. My parents had me to almost every swim class known to man, and I would get certificates that said “Jenny has completed, but not yet passed beginners swimming.”
See what they did there? I went through the class, but still can’t swim. Yep. Kind of sad, huh?
Story of my life.
When I was really little, I liked to stick my face in the bathtub water at night. Can’t remember where I first got the idea, but I remember thinking how cool it was to do that. Until the night that I breathed in. Oh, yeah. Came up spluttering and coughing and suddenly reality had reared its ugly head, and I realized, “Man, this could be scary.”
Ever since then, I’ve not only been scared to death of water that came over my head, but I’ve had recurring nightmares where I can’t stop myself from walking into a body of water, even knowing that I can’t swim.
I know. I’m a mess. A therapist would have a field day. At any rate, swimming just didn’t happen for me. I couldn’t get beyond that ingrained fear.
I am, however, incredibly fascinated by people – and animals! – who have no problem cutting right through the waves and having a ball.
Believe me, the Puppy Paddle is one of the greatest places to watch animals doing just that.
It’s always been dogs that have taken part in the Puppy Paddle. I can’t imagine that many cats out there would tolerate it. Cats and water seem to have a love/hate relationship that doesn’t seem to work out very well for the cat.
It’s always funny how many pups at the Puppy Paddle want nothing to do with the water – especially at the deep end. There are some canines who, like me, seem to just say, “no thank you” when presented with the idea of swimming laps.
Their mom and or dad will typically get in the pool to coax their pup, and you can see him wanting so very badly to come in, but not wanting to get off the steps.
Then, there are the dogs that take to the water exactly like fish. Some of them will actually make running leaps into the pool to chase a tennis ball. It’s hilarious when they get out, soaking wet, with an equally soaking wet ball in their mouths and they will go up to anyone to throw the ball again, especially if mom and dad are having a conversation. I laugh when a pup – usually a lab (there are a lot of labs who love to swim) – comes up to me and shoves a wet ball into my arm.
Keep in mind, for humans, there’s no chlorine in the water, so mom and dad enter at their own risk – and believe me, by the end of the day, the water has a whole bunch of stuff floating in it, so you’ll want to be careful and mindful of what you’re swimming in.
I sit on the edge of the pool with my feet in the water and some of the pups will swim by me to say hello, and I tell you, I cannot keep the smile off my face.
There’s something about the water and the joy you can see on the faces of these dogs that just makes it a perfect day.
There are also contests like Doggie Swimsuit Styling, Quickest Retrieval, Doggie Paddle Race and Longest Leap. The swimsuits are so hilarious and cute, you’ve gotta see them!
For more information on the Puppy Paddle, check out our website at cvas-pets.org.
The Chambersburg Recreation Department sponsors the Puppy Paddle, so if you want to have a fun Saturday morning, make sure you stop by on Sept. 7. Trust me, you’ll be really glad you did.
***** Jennifer Vanderau is the Publications and Promotions Consultant for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, and can be reached at [email protected]. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, call the shelter at (717) 263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates a thrift store in Chambersburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the store.
