The tennis ball flew through the air and landed in the water with a small splash and the dog followed closely behind with a much bigger splash.
The dog, a 10-year old Labrador retriever and walker hound mix named Buddy, was one of the canines at the Greenbelt Aquatic and Fitness Center on Saturday, September 10, during the 12th annual Pooch Plunge.
“This is our second time here,” Buddy’s owner, Alison Longworth of Berwyn Heights, said of the Pooch Plunge between tosses of the tennis ball. “It’s a great exercise for the dogs. I’m happy that we get to do it at least once a year and the dogs love it.”
The event, which allowed dog owners to bring their pets to the pool for a small fee, benefits the Greenbelt Animal Shelter.
Proceeds, which in 2015 totaled about $1,200, go to the non-profit organization Well-Wishers for the Animals of Greenbelt Shelter (WAGS), which will use it to finance renovations and medical expenses for the shelter, according to Animal Control Officer Howard Stanback, who was one of several shelter employees staffing the event.
Stanback might have been there as a staff member rather than a participant but that did not stop him from appreciating the event.
“(I enjoy) seeing all the dogs, as soon as they come in, just dive right in the water,” said Stanback, who has volunteered at the last three Pooch Plunges. “It’s like the dogs wait for this all year.”
Greenbelt resident Tim Murray, who brought his four-month-old golden doodle, Molly, to the Pooch Plunge, echoed Stanback’s feeling that the dogs enjoyed the day.
“This is the best day she’s ever had in her life,” Murray said of Molly. “I knew she would have a ball and she’s had an absolutely terrific time. Everybody here is very nice and it’s a terrific event for the city to put on for pet owners.”
Murray also liked that the money raised from the event went to help the shelter.
“I’m all in favor of it as an animal lover myself,” he said. “I think all the support we can lend as a community to people and pets who need our help is help that’s worthwhile.”
While the participants in the event had fun, the Pooch Plunge did present some unique challenges for lifeguards who are used to guarding people.
With that in mind, animal control officers, in addition to collecting money at the door, were stationed inside the pool in case any specialists were necessary.
It was the officers’ job to break up any dog fights in addition to monitoring whether any dogs began to bleed from their paws, according to Animal Control Officer Nelly Ortiz. Ortiz said there hadn’t been any incidents during the event.
Once Buddy was finished playing fetch with Longworth, she helped him out of the water so he could lie down in the sun.
“Everyone’s just here to let their dog play and socialize, as well as socialize with the community,” she said.
