As the mercury kept rising in Alexandra yesterday, the town's canines knew what to do.
Almost 40 dogs took part in the inaugural "Soggy Doggy Splash'' at the Molyneux Aquatic Centre. The facility's outdoor pool was provided for their exclusive use.
The event was part of the Alexandra Thyme Festival and fitted in perfectly with the pool's annual schedule, former pool manager Anna Koehnein, who suggested the event, said.
Twice a year the aquatic centre's outdoor pool is drained and cleaned. Yesterday's event was timed to precede that.
Thyme festival committee member Bev Thomson, who helped organise a "Four Paws for SPCA'' walk for dogs and their owners before the swim, said it was hoped the "doggy splash'' could become a regular event, timed with the pool's twice-yearly draining and cleaning.
Those taking part in the swim event said their dogs "loved it'', especially considering the hot weather.
Temperatures reached almost 23degC in Alexandra during the swim yesterday.
