As summer draws to a close in a college town like Bloomington, Indiana, the arrival of thousands of students signals the start of a new academic year. However, for some residents, it’s not the influx of students that marks the changing of seasons, but rather a beloved community event known as Drool in the Pool.
Drool in the Pool is an annual event hosted by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, where dogs of all shapes and sizes are invited to take a dip in the city’s Mills Pool. This year, the event took place on the evenings of August 7 and 8, drawing dozens of furry friends and their owners for a night of communal canine swims in the clear waters that are typically reserved for humans.
One of the attendees at Drool in the Pool was Mabel, the black labrador retriever belonging to the Rev. Jimmy Moore. Mabel had such a great time during the Wednesday night swim that she returned for more laps on Thursday, eagerly playing tug-of-war with a pull toy in her mouth.
On Thursday, Mayor Kerry Thomson joined in on the fun, bringing along her own black lab named Riley. Riley, a graceful jumper and avid swimmer, had also been busy the day before, greeting students at Fairview Elementary School on their first day of class.
In addition to the swimming and splashing, Thursday night’s event featured three contests for dogs and their owners, with prize bags provided by Mad 4 My Dog in Ellettsville. The Dog/Owner Look Alike event was won by a gray mottled dog named Bailee and her owner Christina Swanson, a local veterinarian who joked about their matching gray hair and freckles.
Another highlight of the evening was the Best Pet Trick contest, which was won by a sweet little dog named Beignet after a charming prance-and-dance performance. The Most Athletic Dog contest saw a 160-pound St. Bernard named Parker take the top prize, showcasing his strength by refusing to be pulled into the water by a determined boy named Alexander.
The grand prize of the evening went to 8-year-old Audrey Bullman and her pet whippet, Scout. Audrey described how she and Scout train for 4-H together and shared how loving and loyal Scout is, emphasizing that winning or losing didn’t matter because Scout was the best dog in her eyes.
Drool in the Pool is not just a fun event for dogs and their owners; it’s a celebration of community, friendship, and the special bond between humans and their furry companions. As the sun sets on another summer in Bloomington, events like this remind us of the joy and love that our four-legged friends bring into our lives.
For more information on community events in Bloomington, you can contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.
