The Dartmouth YMCA opened the pool area to dogs for an end-of-the-season swim on Saturday, September 3, before it closes the pool for the season. Most families agreed, however, that swim or no-swim, the annual event gives pups some much needed play time.

“He doesn’t really even go in the water that much, but he likes to play,” said Carol Cabral about her border collie Labrador Grady. “But sometimes he’s a momma’s boy,” she laughed, looking at Grady sit quietly by her side as other dogs dug up the lawn, chased each other around the cement pad, and jumped into the water.

Kaitlyn Kocur and Danny Raposo brought their Rhodesian ridgeback, Maverick, to the pool again after a successful outing last year.

“He’s not exactly built for swimming, but he likes it,” said Kocur.

Many dogs sat around the edge of the pool as owners tried to coax them into the water, but according to dog-grandmother Sharon Sylvia, it takes a certain kind of dog to fearlessly jump into the water.

“Wait until the Labs get here,” she said.

Andrea Curran brought yellow Labrador Mia to the pool.

“You can’t bring your dogs anywhere to swim. This is the one time she can have a little puppy socialization,” said Curran. But Mia wasn’t having it.

After some drawn-out attempts to get Mia in the water, and then watching the Lab struggle to swim, Curran came up with a few solutions.

“I almost just want to throw her in,” said Curran. Instead, she—along with daughters Emily and Kacey—strapped Mia into a fashionably-pink life jacket specifically designed for dogs.

Before long, Mia was comfortable in the water, and graduated from her swimming aid within the two-hour session. “Our dog learned how to swim here today,” said Curran.

Other dogs enjoyed the two boxes of treats and one bucket of tennis balls provided by the YMCA, whereas other dogs—including Naddy, a Bernese mountain dog clad in a yellow bandana—enjoyed surveying.

“She won’t swim, but she enjoys playing with other dogs,” said owner Kim Bancroft. “There’s nowhere to bring your dog in Dartmouth. They’re trying to make a dog park, but it’s an uphill battle,” she added, listing beaches and parks as off-limits.

Eventually, the canines built up their courage for the water, and filed in.

“We look forward to this all year,” said Christina Sobran. “Our dog loves to swim. Look at him. He’s having the time of his life,” she said, pointing at two-year-old Barkley.