It's a Doggone Great Day For Swimming In Manchester

The pool at the Manchester Aquatic Center was packed full of pups Sunday as part of the annual end of the swim season.

Event chair, 15-year-old Mikaela Fox of Valley Park, told Town and Country-Manchester Patch the Doggie Paddle takes place every year during the .

This is Fox's second year acting as the event chair, and she's helped out with it for about three years. 

"It's just fun to see the dogs run around and swim, and they have a lot of fun," Fox said. "Last year, we had a dog who had an inner tube and he would carry it arund with him in the pool."

Fox said for the last few years, and Natural Balance have donated food and dog toys such as frisbees and balls, and Fox and others have made doggie goody bags for the pets.

"Everybody loved that, too. They always think that's so cool," Fox said.

She said on average, they have about 100 dogs each day. The Doggie Paddle took place Saturday and Sunday.

Fox said a portion of the proceeds pet owners paid to participate in the Doggie Paddle go toward BARC (Benefiting Animals through Responsibility and Companionship) which spays and neuters pets for low income families.