by Janet Warner LouisvillePetPals.com Staff

Event Column Lakeside goes to the dogs

LOUISVILLE, September 4, 2006 -- Lakeside Swim Club in the Highlands, nationally known for its aquatic Click to view full-size images

excellence, has gone to the dogs. Actually it was the 4th annual dog swim at the historic landmark, a former quarry established as a community resource in 1924. While the original pool is the back drop for local families all summer long, the day after Labor Day it hosted 78 area canine citizens happy to splash, chase tennis balls, and swim with their owners.

Lakeside offers this doggie dip to its members and is overwhelmingly popular. There were over 100 people on the waiting list in case any one of the thirteen dogs scheduled in each of the six sessions cancelled. The reservation schedule closed on June 5th.

Water loving dogs of all shapes and sizes burst through the nostalgic gate house and were carefully supervised by Lakeside staff. “She knows it’s coming!” exclaimed one dog mom, whose leash arm seemed unnaturally extended as a happy lab mix strained towards the water. Some were not so eager and had to be coaxed to enter the water; and some of the same were later reluctant to leave the water, having found their comfort level!

The event (as far as safety was concerned) was un-eventful, although Lakeside’s life guards patiently stood by while the dogs had a great time. When asked if she was prepared with CPR for animals, life guard Natalie Jones laughed and said, “We’re here to save the humans!”