People certainly have wonderful ideas about how to raise money for animals in need!
Does your local pool do something like this?
A friend swims by
Originally uploaded by Paguma.
Hey if you can't swim you can still have fun!
Golden Retriever Newborn Puppies
Originally uploaded by Bonnaboo.
Dog paddle a popular stroke at fundraiser
Call it a doggone good time
BY SUSAN SZALEWSKI, WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Though tiny in stature, brothers Chico and Rico could swim with the best of them.
And Rugby, a seasoned swimmer, initially seemed intimidated by his pool companions. But he has swimming in his blood, so he just relaxed and did what was natural for him.
The three — two Chihuahuas and a golden retriever — were among the approximately 300 dogs who jumped, splashed and paddled with their human friends Sunday evening at Gallagher Pool, 2936 N. 52nd St.
The event, which lasted from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., was a fundraiser for the Nebraska Humane Society. More than 700 people were admitted with the dogs, said Pam Wiese, a Humane Society spokeswoman. Humans could attend for free. They paid $5 per dog for admission.
Sisters Molly Lieberman, 13, and Amanda Lieberman, 10, discovered the canine swimming event on the Humane Society's Web page and couldn't resist bringing Chico and Rico for a dip with their mother, Vicki Sabo. They live near the Benson area pool.
The 1-year-old Chihuahuas had never been swimming before. Chico had to learn at first, Molly said. But by the end of the swim session, the two paddled as fast as some of the larger dogs.
"They like it," Molly said. The sisters said they definitely would like to swim with the dogs again.
Christine Thibodeau, 17, and her brother, Daniel Thibodeau, took their golden retriever, Rugby, to the pool. The dog sometimes jumps off a dock at their family's cabin, but being around so many other dogs was new for him, Christine said.
Rugby liked to hang on to the two in the pool, so they had to be careful not to be scratched, she said.
The Omaha Parks and Recreation Department collaborated with the Humane Society for the event. Lifeguards were trained in pet first-aid, said Cheryll Peterson-Brachle. They treated one dog for a broken toenail Sunday, Peterson-Brachle said.
Ten lifeguards and about eight Parks and Recreation employees worked Sunday, which was the pool's final event for the season, she said. The pool will be drained this morning, she said. The pool's regular season ended last week.
The fundraiser brought in more than $3,000 for the Humane Society.
Click here for more info and a video of the event!
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