Though Mills Park Pool will be closed for the season Aug. 6, it will remain open for two extra days for dogs to enjoy.
Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department’s Drool in the Pool event will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 14 and 15 in partnership with White River Co-op.
This is the ninth year for the Drool in the Pool event, which provides dogs of all shapes and sizes the opportunity to dip their paws in a public pool for only $5 per dog.
“Mills Pool works great for the dogs,” Ream said. He explained this is because it has zero-depth entry, which means dogs can walk right into the pool.
During this event, humans are restricted from entering the water though dog guards will be on duty to supervise the various swimmers.
“In 2012, we had 250 dogs and 400 of their human friends at the event and we expect about the same numbers for this year,” said Bill Ream, community events coordinator for the parks and recreation department.
The majority of the time spent in the pool Aug. 14 will be leisurely, but at 6 p.m. there will be a jumping contest for the dogs.
There will also be free time Aug. 15, along with various contests including Best Dressed, Best Pet Tricks and Cutest Dog. They will announce the Grand Prize Winner at 7 p.m.
There will be 10-minute safety breaks at 6 and 7 p.m. both nights. Dog owners will be asked to remove their four-legged friends from the pool, leash them and make sure they are not too tired and that their paws are OK from walking on the deck and pool bottom.
Only one dog is allowed per person. Dogs must be at least 6 months old and be spayed or neutered. Dogs in heat are not allowed. All dog owners must bring written proof from their veterinarian showing their dog is current on their rabies vaccine. Just a rabies tag is not sufficient.
This year’s event is sponsored by The Dog House, Canine Companions and Mad 4 My Dog Positive Dog Solutions.
Dog owners will be required to fill out and sign a registration form and wavier at the event.
Those interested should go to bloomington.in.gov/parks to learn more about the event and to download the registration forms.
—Samantha Felix
Public pool welcomes dogs
![ciDrool](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/ids/3de6ce04-8dab-4599-ba91-36f78e0d0b97.sized-1000x1000.jpg?w=1000)
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