A few months ago I saw a post on Facebook about an event taking place in September which I thought was pretty interesting.
For those who don’t know, I absolutely love to swim.
Over the Dartford Bridge
I am in my element, anytime I am near to water, but if I can get in and have a swim about, I am like a happy little dolphin.
This event involved a bit of swimming, so I decided to look into it a bit further.
Dogtember!
Saltdean Lido, Brighton is a old-fashioned open air swimming pool in a wonderful Art-Deco style and hosts a special fundraising event every year.
Dogtember!
My View whilst eating my Sausage Roll
This is a 4 week long event over September and the beginning of October when the Lido opens its doors to its canine friends and has swimming sessions for up to 40 dogs and their owners.
Some of the sessions are breed specific and others are open to all.
I’ve had worse days!
As an owner, you can either go in the water with the dog, or be a spectator.
Well, of course I had to look and see what the availability was like!
Eagerly Queuing
Scrolling through the different options, I couldn’t see a breed specific one for Chows, although I didn’t think this likely as they are a little bit rarer in ownership.
There was a small dog and a large dog category, but Theodore seemed to fall in the middle and not really fit either.
He seems excited
In the end I opted for a session on Saturday 27 th September at 5pm.
As it would take 2 ½ hours to drive to Brighton, I wanted a later session, and hoped the weather would be kind to us.
Well… I am getting in
So, on a bright Saturday morning, we hopped into the car for the Journey to Brighton.
The idea was to at least have some lunch and possibly an ice cream on the sea front before heading to Saltdean for our session.
He is not sure…..
I was very excited as Theodore has only ever paddled in water before, never having got into any higher than his flank.
Would he even want to get in the water?
Still not keen….
As a younger dog, he was very particular about puddles and bodies of water. Never stepping in them, always walking around, it was great when going on walks as he wouldn’t end up filthy.
Then we went on a couple of walks with two malamutes, who splashed away happily and within five minutes, he was copying them.
On his way
When they tried to get in the lake, he was right there along with them.
This left me hoping that when we were at the pool and he saw all the dogs in there, he would want to join in too.
Just before he threw himself in my arms
The journey took just over three hours, but it was a beautiful day and Theodore happily slept all the way there. We arrived about 4pm, which gave us an hour to have a walk down the promenade and enjoy the beach.
Theodore did not want to do that at all, however he was quite interested in the sausage roll that I bought from a lovely little cafe on the beachfront.
And straight back out again
I eagerly tucked in whilst watching the sea and enjoying a cup of tea.
It was very nearly time to head to the lido and join the queue with a lot of other dogs, ranging from Newfoundlands to Yorkshire Terriers.
Nope. Not Happening.
What a fabulous time this was going to be.
I headed into the changing rooms to pull on my swimming costume and we walked outside to the pool area.
Where is the exit?
There were already dogs in the pool, and lots running around having fun. The lido blocks off the gate once you have entered, so the dogs could be let off their leads with no fear of them getting out of the complex.
I didn’t let Theodore of the lead as I know he would literally run off and I would not be able to catch him!
I thing he is done…..
Heading down the steps into the pool, I encouraged Theodore to step down the three steps that were visible from the side.
He was a little hesitant, but I thought he would take to it like a duck to water, given all the times I have had to stop him from dragging me in the lake.
I don’t like it!
Throwing himself into my arms, he frantically swam round me in a circle and shot out of the pool, back onto dry land.
Nothing I did to encourage him back made a difference
Shake Time
He point blank refused to get back in the water at all.
Dogs all around me were throwing themselves into the water, run out, shake off and dive back in again. It was lovely to watch, especially the Newfie who was living his best life.
The Newfie that couldn’t get enough
Over and over I watched him enjoying the cool water, whilst Theodore stood on the side, watching and almost giving me a look that said “nope, not again in this lifetime”
I got out of the pool and went and dried off. There was no point sitting around in my wet costume when Theodore clearly had no intention of getting back in, and I could hardly be in the water without a dog!
The Stunning Lido
Drying Theodore off with a huge towel, we walked back to the car to prepare for a 3 hour plus drive back home.
Checking the photographs once I got home, there was a complete 3 minute time line of him getting in, “swimming” my arms around in a full circle and getting out of the pool.
I wanted to stay in the pool
A six hour round trip for a 3 minute dip.
Must be a world record!
Well…. it was worth a try!
All I can now hope for is when he returns back to his regular walks, he stays away from puddles, brooks, boggy areas, and of course the stinky lake that he loves to try and get in (usually succeeding) every time we go for a walk around it.
Hoping, yes.
Likely? Absolutely not.
Till next time,
SPSG xxx