Sponsored by
Leeds Doggies paddle bark and forth for charity
Dog swimathon at My Pet Stop in Tingley. Pictured Boxer Cooper in action.
IT WASN’T so much Red Nose Day as wet nose day for dogs who took the plunge to take part in a charity swimathon.
The doggy paddling pets took to the water to raise money for Dogs for the Disabled, which provides physically disabled children and adults with specially-trained assistance dogs.
Scores of dogs of every shape, size and variety took part in the event held over 12 hours at Mypetstop, Tingley, a pet boarding and care centre.
Among the first to make a splash was a Beagle called Bagel. After a 10 minute dip she was out for a shower, shake and a spray of poochie perfume.
Owners paid up to £10 for their pets to take part in the swim and also raised sponsorship.
Staff at the centre hoped the event would raise over £1,000.
Another early bather was Jessica, a Whippet-terrier cross-breed, owned by Tony Lister, of Morley.
He said: “We got her from the RSPCA and bring her here every week. This is the first time she has been in the pool and she seems to like it.
“She has raised £52 for the charity.”
At the end of her efforts, Mr Lister was given a certificate and a goodie bag for Jessica.
Roxy, one of two Boxers there, was the next in after Jessica.
Initially a little reluctant, there was a “paws” for thought but she was soon serenely paddling through the water.
Mypetstop centre manager, Sheli Dobbie, said: “We thought it would be a great challenge to get as many dogs as possible doing the doggy paddle and a perfect opportunity to raise funds for our charity partner.
“Our customers are fantastic at getting behind out charity initiatives and they are being very supportive once again.”
The centre has the pool so that dogs can swim for fun and to help them recover from injury through low-impact exercise.
James Cundy, responsible for marketing at the centre, said: “We also use the pool for puppy swim sessions to help them build up their muscles.
“Dogs spend about 10 to 15 minutes in the pool depending on their age.
“They all enjoy it and we thought a swimathon would be a great way to raise money.”
david.marsh@ypn.co.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
