Dog Days of Summer ready for splashing

By Dr. Beth Leermakers

Doggie Splash Day. Pooch Plunge. Wags and Waves. The dog swimming events start soon, and my water-crazy lab and I are ready! I chose Maisie because she loves to swim and does well at pool parties. I took her to NRH20’s Doggie Beach Bash to be sure before I adopted her. After missing “the season” in 2020 due to COVID, we’re counting the days (7) until the first end-of-the-season swimming event. 

With the temperature hitting 100 degrees — and the heat index already 84 degrees by 6 a.m. — the water is the best place to be in August and September. Here are a few options for dogs who enjoy swimming — or just wading in the water.

Dog Swimming Events

I’ve listed a few of my favorite events. Watch for others at Bahama Beach and many suburban pools (e.g., Garland, Richardson, Plano, Carrollton and Frisco). 

Most of these events require proof of current vaccinations, and several require all dogs to be spayed/neutered, so head to the vet now if your dog is due for her rabies, DAPP, and/or Bordetella or needs to be fixed. Bring a life jacket if your dog isn’t a strong swimmer. 

Doggie Splash Day. Saturday, Aug. 7, 9 a.m.-noon at Vanston Pool in Mesquite (2913 Oates Dr.). Dogs and people will have access to a wading pool and a lap pool. $5 for one (1) person with one (1) dog. $2 for each additional dog. Bring a jar of peanut butter or jelly to receive $2 off the admission fee. Proof of current vaccinations is required (and will be checked). cityofmesquite.com/290/Doggie-Splash-Day

Pooch Plunge. Sunday, Aug. 15 from 4-7 p.m. At Wet Zone in Rowlett (5304 Main Street). Dogs and people have access to the wading/spray pool and a lap pool. $12 for each dog. $3 for each person. This event benefits Friends of Rowlett Animals. Proof of vaccinations is required. Ticket sales are online only: eventbrite.com/e/pooch-plunge-2021-tickets-162173373927.

Bow Wow Luau. Sunday, Sept. 12, 1-5 p.m. at Hawaiian Falls in The Colony (4400 Paige Rd.). Enjoy the splash area, lazy river and wave pool. Ticket prices aren’t posted yet but were $20-$25 per person in past years. Limit two dogs per person. A portion of the proceeds benefits The Colony Animal Shelter Injured Animal Fund. Proof of vaccinations is required. hfalls.com/the-colony/special-events.php 

Wags and Waves. Saturday, Sept. 18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Hawaiian Falls in Garland (4550 North Garland Avenue). Paddle or float in the lazy river and surf the waves in the wave pool. Ticket prices aren’t posted yet but will probably be $20-$25 per person. This event benefits Cat Matchers, Dallas Companion Animal Project, DFW Rescue Me and Legacy Boxer Rescue. All dogs must be spayed/neutered and have complete, up-to-date vaccinations (including current rabies shot). wagsandwaves.org. 

Doggie Beach Bash. Saturday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at NRH20 Family Waterpark in North Richland Hills (9001 Boulevard 26). Worth the drive! This water park is amazing, with a lazy river, wave pool, a big wading/splash area and several pools spread out on the huge property. There’s a separate area for small dogs. Some of the water slides are open, with no lines. Twenty dollars per person, including up to two dogs, with proceeds benefitting the North Richland Hills Animal Adoption and Rescue Center. Dogs must be spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations, including rabies vaccinations. nrhtx.com/827/Doggie-Beach-Bash Tickets will be available soon through nrh2o.com, or you can buy tickets at the gate. 

Dog Parks with Water 

White Rock Lake Dog Park. 8000 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas. This newly renovated, 3 1/2 acre dog park has a dog launch, providing access to the lake and dog wash areas. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 5 a.m.-11 p.m. 

Closed on rain days and Mondays for maintenance. Call the Dog Park Hotline/Rain Out Line at 214-614-6711 for updates or visit dallasparks.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Mockingbird-Point-Dog-Park-358

NorthBark Dog Park. 4899 Gramercy Oaks, Dallas 75287. This 22.3 acre off-leash dog park in far north Dallas has a pond and a doggy shower for post-swim cleanup. Open Wednesday-Monday, 5 a.m.-11 p.m. Closed on rain days and Tuesdays for maintenance. Call the Dog Park Hotline/Rain Out Line at 214-614-6711 for updates.

Barney Wood Bark Park. 14090 Heartside Place, Farmers Branch, TX 75234. Perfect for dogs who just want to dip their toes in the water, this 1.44 acre dog park has splash pads in the small and large dog areas and dog showers for post-play cleanup. This relatively new park also boasts covered seating areas and rest rooms (not porta potties!). Open Tuesday-Sunday 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Mondays for maintenance. farmersbranchtx.gov/408/Barney-Wood-Bark-Park

Lake Outings

Cedar Hill State Park. 1570 West FM 1382, Cedar Hill, 75104. Open daily, 

6 a.m.-10 p.m. Seven dollars per person for a day pass. Children 12 and under are free. Bring your dog to hike, nature watch and swim in Joe Pool Lake. Dogs must be on a leash (no longer than 6 feet). They’re not allowed in the water or on the land around a “designated swim area,” so you may need to hike a little to reach a deserted area. Dogs are not allowed in any state park buildings. Proof of current rabies vaccination is required. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/cedar-hill

Lake Tawakoni State Park. 10822 FM 2475, Wills Point, 75169 (50 miles east of Dallas). Open daily, 

7 a.m.-10 p.m. and $5 per person (day pass). Children 12 and under are free. Dogs aren’t allowed at the designated swim beach, but your water-loving dog will enjoy swimming and wading along five miles of trails/lakeshore. The same rules apply to dogs at this state park, too. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-tawakoni

Have fun, and stay cool! 

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