Labs led the way
The first dogs to plunge into the water Saturday at Sandcastle Water Park were big, web-footed dogs in hues of yellow, black and chocolate brown. Labrador retrievers all but ruled the wave pool, many swimming directly to the deep end while other dogs started out cautiously, standing ankle-deep in the shallows or wading out belly-deep in an event billed as the Ultimate Canine Pool Party.
John Heller, Post-GazetteAbout 300 dogs closed the pool Saturday at Sandcastle Water Park in West Homestead. The second annual dog swimming party raised money to benefit the Animal Friends shelter in Ohio Township.
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Three-hundred dogs attended the party, which was a fund-raiser for the Animal Friends shelter in Ohio Township.
Labs, golden retrievers and other dogs that hail from bloodlines bred for centuries to swim, displayed the ultimate canine freestyle -- their heads rode low in the water, their noses barely cleared the surface and their ears fanned out flat on the water. They used their legs and paws to take long, smooth strokes. The Labs used their thick tails as rudders to steer and turn in the water.
This was the second time Sandcastle opened the park to dogs after closing it to people. Last September, 200 tickets quickly sold out, so this year a kiddie pool was opened for small dogs, making the event available to a total of 300 pets. Once again, tickets sold out quickly.
Not every dog was quick to take the plunge. Many had fun just running and romping in the shallows or on the beach.
"Bear's never had the chance to swim, so I don't know what he'll do," said Fran Jetcyk, of Shadyside. The 10-year-old shepherd-keeshond mix, who volunteers as a therapy dog in nursing homes, stood belly-deep in the wave pool. He wagged his tail as he watched other dogs running and swimming, occasionally barking out greetings to them.
Many owners waded into the pools, encouraging their pets to follow.
Like many dogs, 1-year-old Bentley had never had a chance to swim in a pool. A veteran of many dog park visits, the Boston terrier romped on the beach with other dogs but showed no inclination to enter the water.
When owners Dave Delmonaco and Rachael Bieltz, of Mt. Lebanon, waded in, Bentley followed. His big eyes seemed to get bigger when the water got deeper and his feet could no longer touch the bottom. His legs pumped up and down in a fast and furious version of the dog paddle. If his strokes weren't as graceful or effective as the Labs', Bentley's dog paddle got him where he wanted to go.
One of the stars of the kiddie pool was a miniature dachshund. Everyone knew she was "Daisy" because her name was emblazoned on her lavender bathing suit.
Swimming doesn't come easily to the breed, nicknamed weiner dogs, because their legs are short and their chests are deep and heavy. But Daisy, 3, swam almost nonstop. Her owners picked her up and removed her from the pool periodically to give her drinking water and rest breaks.
Daisy swims regularly during family vacations at Edinboro Lake, said Christy Alwine, of Munhall.
For many, the day was a big family picnic.
Dana LoBasso and her shepherd mix, Scooby, 5, were part of a party of seven people and six dogs who journeyed from Greensburg.
There were also games and activities, including a bikini contest. The winner was Lila, 2, a pitbull owned by David Rudzki, of Sharpsburg. Lila's black coat contrasted nicely with the orange and yellow bikini custom-made by a friend of Mr. Rudzki's.
Throughout the three-hour swim party, volunteers from Animal Friends and employees from Sandcastle kept dozens of dog bowls continuously filled with drinking water. Owners were reminded to frequently rest and rehydrate their pets as temperatures climbed to nearly 80 degrees. Dogs were also served snow cones topped with beef or chicken broth.
Volunteers patrolled as dog cops, making sure that all dogs played nice -- which they did -- and watching to make sure no animals bolted from the pool areas, which are not completely fenced.
First Published: September 14, 2006, 4:00 a.m.
