Paws for a swim

Chihuahuas, retrievers, pugs, Dalmatians and mutts all took a dip in the Liberty Park Pool on Tuesday night at a party for the pooches.

The Sedalia Parks Department hosted its first Doggie Dive. From lifejacket-clad to Bermuda shirt wearing pugs, some 86 dogs and their owners attended the event.

“By the looks of things, it’s a big hit,” said Rob Sisemore, 53, of Sedalia. “It’s amazing. There’s big to small, from Chihuahuas to monster dogs.”

Sisemore’s 13-year-old Chihuahua, Princess, attended the party but was unable to participate due to an ear infection. Sisemore said he expected Princess to wet her paws next year.

Some dogs jumped right into the deep end of the pool to retrieve tennis balls while others stuck to the shallow waters. Cheryl Homan’s American Eskimo mix, Harley, and Chesapeake Bay retriever, Cocoa, needed a little coaxing off the diving board.

“They love swimming,” Homan, 50, of Sedalia, said. “We can’t keep them in the boat at the lake.”

The two also enjoy swimming in a pond and in their very own swimming pool at home that’s just deep enough they can’t touch the bottom. Harley, 2, wears a lifejacket because his coat is so thick it becomes too heavy when it’s wet.

The smell of wet dog hung in the air as owners swam with their canines, and others threw flying discs and tennis balls. One pooch rode on the shoulders and back of its owner who walked around deeper waters.

Park Recreation Supervisor Amy Epple said 21 dogs were registered. She said the turnout was “wonderful,” considering the goal was to have about 30 for the first-time event.

Another mission was accomplished. Epple said she wanted to draw a crowd who haven’t participated in Parks and Recreation events.

“That’s my goal, is to have something for everybody. ... We’ve had quite a few people come out who don’t have dogs at all, so that was nice,” Epple said.

The department will host the Doggie Dive again next year, Epple said. The party is on the last day before the pool is drained. Parks Director Mark Hewett said the pool water will go straight to the waste lines, so the dog hair won’t clog the filters.

Some folks enjoyed watching the dogs, especially the well-trained ones like Camo, a Chesapeake Bay retriever. Owner Kelly Yager, 26, of Sedalia, exercised his hunting dog by throwing a training bumper into the water, then waiting before giving Camo the command to get it.

It was the first time Camo swam in a pool, a little different atmosphere for the waterfowl hunting dog.

“It’s good to work him around other dogs because he gets more steady and calm,” Yager said.

Dog lover Marlene Kopplin, 60, of Sedalia, brought her three golden retrievers — Honey, 7; Sonny, 5; and Bunny, 3 — to enjoy the pool. Kopplin said the success of the party makes a good case for developing a dog park.

“We’re all waiting for one,” she said. “We’re all hoping. I think it would be great. And all the dogs are getting along, sniffing each other and having a good time.”