Who knew that swimming could be so exhausting?  I was so tired that mom had to wrap me in a towel and take me home!  Okay, okay, so I wasn’t technically “swimming”.  I was in the baby pool that has only 6″ of water, but for someone like me who is vertically challenged, that is DEEP!  I could barely stand!  Below is an image of me playing ball with one of my pals!  We had a ball…get it?  Ball….like tennis ball!  BOL BOL [barking out loud!]!!!

There were lots of hugs and kisses being shared at Doggie Dip Day.  Owners were so proud of their dogs after they went into the water for the first time or learned how to swim, or even just stood in the baby pool on their leash to get their feet wet.  Going into the water for the first time can be scary for some dogs!  Here is a sweet moment between a Weimaraner and his owner.

This image is a good example of one of those times when you are concentrating so hard on photographing the main subject that you hardly notice what’s going on around it.  In this case, I was intent on watching this dog make a running leap into the pool.  What I didn’t notice was all of the legs/feet standing around and watching right along with me.  I know that you’re SUPPOSED to take all aspects of what is in the frame into account when composing an image, but with a ton of dogs all running, swimming, jumping and playing at the pool, that was next to impossible!  When photographing pets, I’ve learned that a LOT of rules and best practices go right out the window.  I really like this ‘action shot’ as the dog’s paws are just hitting the water and the droplets are seen throughout the frame.  Look at those flying ears!  This guy was having FUN!

At the end of summer, local swimming pools have a doggie swim day before they close for the season.   The dogs have a blast in the pool – swimming, diving, playing with toys, etc.  In this image, a dog is being taught how to swim by his owner.  Nice to see that both are wearing life preservers….you can never be too safe in the water!