Summer Splash

We are cautious when filling a pool since water that sits in a hose is often scalding hot and might cause burns. Kodie loves to drink from the hose like a fountain so we make certain that the pool hose is never used to apply weed killer to the yard.

The swim area is shaded to keep the water from getting too hot and to protect Kodie's nose from sunburn. Since some dogs don't do well in the heat, we limit our pool time, taking cool breaks in the house in between swims. Also, we dry her after she is done swimming for the day so she doesn't take a chill once the sun goes down.

The pool water is emptied daily to prevent mosquitoes and to discourage birds from using the pool as a bird bath.

Last year Kodie had surgery to correct a luxating patella which was a birth defect causing her knee to dislocate. Kodie's recovery was excruciatingly slow as she apparently decided she would never use her leg again. Our vet advised us to use swim therapy to strengthen her leg and reduce the pain.

We were faced with a dilemma as her sled pool didn't allow her to float freely. Luckily it was late summer and we were able to purchase a 4 foot deep pool. Kodie sniffed the new pool with some reservation. At first she opted to play in the sled pool until we coaxed her into the new one. As soon as she got in, she perfected the doggie paddle. Within days she regained enough muscle tone and confidence to walk on all fours again.

A deep pool can pose a drowning danger if its use isn't monitored. We wouldn't leave our children alone in a bathtub and we don't leave our pup in the pool area unattended. On the other hand, the deeper pool is fun because we can soak our feet in it too and it allows us to invent new games for all of us to enjoy.

Kodie isn't ready for Olympic competition but swimming provides us many hours of pleasure and cools our double coated friend throughout the summer.

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