GOING TO THE DOGS! Sioux Park Pool Hosting Wags & Waves Monday
Four-legged swimmers are expected to take over Sioux Park pool Monday at the annual Wags & Waves fundraiser event for the Humane Society of the Black Hills. It is the last event at the Sioux Park pool for the summer season.
(City File Photo/Darrell Shoemaker)
DOGS SET TO RULE THE POOL!
SIOUX PARK'S JIMMY HILTON POOL
GOING TO THE DOGS MONDAY
'Wags & Waves' Humane Society fundraiser event
expected to draw in canines and caretakers
RAPID CITY--Pool etiquette may be in short supply Monday when Bella, Max, Luna, Charlie, Lucy, Buddy, Duke and all their four-legged friends take over the City's Jimmy Hilton Pool at Sioux Park for the sixth annual Wags & Waves fundraiser for the Humane Society of the Black Hills.
The event is scheduled for Monday 5-7 p.m. Tails wagging, tongues panting, nose-to-nose greetings and tennis ball and frisbee chasing will be just some of the attractions.
A $5 donation per animal is requested at the gate and proceeds support the Humane Society of the Black Hills, supporting the care of 5,000 animals.
Humane Society officials apply a few rules for the event: dogs must be under their owner's supervision and control at all times; dogs can swim freely but humans cannot go in the water above their knees; and owners are asked to pick up after their pets to keep the pool area neat and clean.
“It’s our biggest summer fundraiser and very popular for both the dogs and their owners,” said Jerry Steinley of the Humane Society of the Black Hills. “It’s a great way for the dogs to cool off and for both dogs and people to have fun. It’s a very popular event with people talking about it throughout the year.”
Whether it's more fun for the dogs or their owners is up for debate. Since the event's inception, hundreds of dogs have left the comfortable confines of their couches and the attractions of fire hydrants and car bumpers to sun themselves poolside and frolic in the cool, clear waters of the Sioux Park Pool. Dogs diving in from the pool sides, chasing and splashing each other and meeting new canine friends are common sites during this evening of canine cavorting.
The Jimmy Hilton Sioux Park Pool closes to the public after Sunday, September 12.
“The Wags and Waves event is a great event and there is a lot of interest in the community,” said Jeff Biegler, City Parks and Recreation director. “It’s a great way to end the summer pool season. The dogs and their owners have a lot of fun with it.”
Biegler says the pool will be drained after Monday’s event.