Calgary dogs celebrate end of summer with a citywide pool party

As the dog days of summer come to an end, what better way to celebrate the season than with a special pool party just for our four-legged friends?

Huskys, golden retrievers and more come together to paddle around the pools in Calgary, Canada on the day before they close for the summer. The event, called Doggie Paddle, is put on to raise money for the Calgary Humane Society.

While many beaches and other natural bodies of water are dog-friendly, this occasion gives them a chance to enjoy a different kind of swimming, dog owner Darren Baker told the CBC.

"Usually we're always down at the river swimming there," Baker said, "so she gets a chance to come into a nice warm pool."

Jennifer Zacharias with the Calgary Outdoor Pool Association said that when the idea was proposed for the last day of the pool season in 2012, they didn't see any reason not to do it.

"There's no more people swimming in the pool," she explained. "We're going to get rid of the water anyway, so it's a great way to wrap up our summer."

Though the pool and dog lovers agree it's a fun event, organizers don't recommend swimming with the dogs because it gets so hairy and because the cleansing chemicals are turned off to make the water safe for the dogs.

Last year the event raised $800 with about 300 dogs joining in the fun.