Dog Swim Days in DFW

Dog swim days are here in DFW!

Its that time when pools start to close their doors for the Summer, but before they do, they open one last time to the DOGS!

[scroll to Garland to see the last swim day for 2023]

Dog Swim Days in DFW

Pooch Plunge Keep cool in Wet Zone’s lap pool and lazy river. The event also offers dog-friendly vendors, raffles and cool concessions. Hosted by Friends of Rowlett Animals.

4 to 7 p.m. at Wet Zone, 5304 Main St., Rowlett. $10 per dog, free for owners. Purchase advance tickets here.

And there’s more . . .

This year’s doggy swim days, when area pools invite pooches in before they close for the season, have finally arrived. Dogs must be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and friendly, and if yours isn’t a strong swimmer, we recommend bringing a doggy life jacket. Dog not a swimmer? There will be lots of playing poolside too. (Rain is forecast all weekend, so watch here and the sites below for updates.)

Paws in the Pool-ooza in Cedar Hill: The annual festivities at Crawford Park Pool, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, will include vendors, prizes and a designated area for smaller dogs (25 pounds or less). A current rabies certificate (paper or digital) is required. 401 Straus Road. $5, benefits the Tri-City Animal Shelter. 972-291-5130. tricityfriends.org.

Doggie Splash Day in Mesquite: Along with swimming from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Vanston Pool, 2913 Oates Drive, there will be contests for best pooch swimsuit, look-alikes, paddling and diving. Proof of vaccinations is required. $5 for one person with one dog, $2 per additional pet, $1 for spectators. 972-216-6260. cityofmesquite.com/pard.

Pooch Plunge in Rowlett: The fundraiser for Friends of Rowlett Animals at Wet Zone water park, from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, includes splashing in the lagoons and lazy river, vendors, a raffle and food for sale. Must have proof of rabies vaccination (a tag will work).5304 Main St. $10 per dog, free for humans. poochplunge.org.

Upcoming pool parties:

Aug. 18: Dog Splash Day at Terrace Pool in Richardson

Aug. 19: Dog-A-Poolooza at Holford Pool in Garland

Aug. 25: Paco’s Poochie Plunge at Bahama Beach

Aug. 26: Dog Day Afternoon at Lake Highlands North Pool

Sept. 8: Wags and Waves at the Hawaiian Falls in Garland, Doggie Dive-Ins at Lewisville’s Sun Valley Aquatic Center and Grapevine’s Pleasant Glade Pool, Dog Splashin Bedford, Paws in the Pool at the Frisco Water Park, Doggie Dunk at the Keller Pointe Outdoor Pool and Carrollton’s Pooch Pool Party at Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex

Sept. 9: Dog days at the Hawaiian Falls Waterparks in The Colony and Mansfieldand K-9 Kerplunk at Plano’s Oak Point Recreation Center

Sept. 29: Doggie Beach Bash at NRH2O in North Richland Hills

Also on the schedule

•Bedford’s annual Dog Days of Summer are continuing with a yappy hour from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Bedford Bark Park, 3200 Meadow Park Drive. Enjoy refreshments and music by Andrew Sullivan while the four-leggers play. You can also meet adoptable dogs from the city shelter. Free, with donations collected for the dog park. The series also includes a Woofstock concert featuring Rob Redwine and the Roses at the dog park on Aug. 24 and this year’s Dog Splash and 2K-9 on Sept. 8. 817-952-2323. facebook.com/bedfordparksandrecreation.

•Paws on the Plaza, a series of free monthly classes, will focus on “Basic Commands” at 8 p.m. Friday at McCall Plaza in downtown Plano. Dogs must be on a well-fitting leash and current on their rabies vaccination. 998 E. 15th St. facebook.com/planoarts.

•The area’s fall K9 Frisbee Toss & FetchLeague begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Bradfield Park football field in Garland, 1150 Castle Drive. Cost is $10 per team (handler and dog) for the entire five-week season. If you have to miss a week or two, that’s OK, and you may play with as many individual dogs that you would like for $10 per dog. Beginners are welcome, and so are kids. Organizers recommend bringing water and a crate or secure leash, and if you have your own discs, feel free to bring them. You don’t need to register, but please join their Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/138231526984026 and R.S.V.P. so they can get a head count.

•The Grand Prairie Farmers Market has a “Dog Daze of Summer” theme this week, with a splash zone dog park and photo and kissing booths. There will also be raffles, pet care information and a vet technician to answer questions. Proceeds from treats and items sold and all donations will benefit Prairie Paws. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 120 W. Main St. facebook.com/gpprairiepaws.

•The Frisco Rotary Farmers Market, from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, is also celebrating dogs this week, and Colby Dog Snacks will be a vendor. 8821 Fourth St. friscorotaryfarmersmarket.com.

•Pooch-friendly Orvis is having a Seize the Dog Days event Saturday, with free treats, bandannas and entry into the Orvis Dog Club. DFW Lab Rescue will help celebrate at the Southlake store (1101 E. Southlake Blvd., Suite 400, 817-251-0262) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Dallas one (8300 Preston Road, 214-265-1600) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They also have a store in Plano (2412 Preston Road, Suite 200, 972-596-7529). orvis.com.

•The third annual Bow Wow Pow Wow, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at East Bound and Down Icehouse, will benefit Operation Kindness. The lineup includes live music, karaoke, vendors and mingling in their dog park. 3826 Ross Ave. 214-455-3112. facebook.com/eastbounddallas.

•Drinks for Dogs — all day Saturday at the Celt Irish Pub, 100 N. Tennessee St., and sister restaurant Dempsey’s Place, 310 E. Louisiana St., which both have McKinney’s dog-friendly patios variance — will feature a special menu of cocktails benefiting Mazie’s Mission. facebook.com/maziesmission.

•The Rockin’ the River concert/tubing series at Panther Island Pavilion will wrap up Saturday with a day of music headlined by Shinyribs. Gates open at 1 p.m., and the bands start at 2:15. Note: Things will end with fireworks at 9:25, so we recommend leaving before then. 395 Purcey St. in Fort Worth, on the south side of the Trinity River. Free. rockintheriverfw.com.

•Meet and greets (dogs welcome at all): Allie’s Haven Animal Rescue at the Three Dog Bakery in Fort Worth from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. … Take Me Home Pet Rescueat their adoption center in Richardson from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. … Dallas DogRRR at the Hollywood Feed in Lakewood from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. … No Borders Bulldog Rescue at the Hollywood Feed in Southlake from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. … DFW Rescue Me outside the Whole Foods in Highland Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. … Saving Hope at Wag Canine Emporium in Fort Worth from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. … The Humane Society of North Texas at the Pet Supplies Plus on McCart in Fort Worth from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. … Dallas Pets Alive at the Lion & Crown in Addison from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. … Rockwall Pets at the Petco in Rockwall from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. … DFW’s FurGotten Friends at the Pet Supplies Plus on Mockingbird from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

•There will be seminar on “Learn to Speak Dog: Understanding How Dogs Communicate With Humans and Each Other” from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Pinot’s Palette at 4560 W. Mockingbird Lane. This one is for the two-leggers only. $30 at the door (includes admission for you and a friend). pcpsi.com.

•Also dog-friendly this weekend: the Farmers Branch Market’s Salsa Night and a screening of Coco on Carrollton’s square, both on Saturday, and on Sunday a screening of Up on the outdoor plaza at Toyota Music Factory in Irving and Lola’s Local Farmers Market and Sunday Funday at Panther Island Pavilion, both in Fort Worth.

•The Shak at Stanley Korshak will be transformed into a doggy playground for the third annual Dog Days of Summer shopping party from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. The evening will benefit FIDORG for Hounds for Heroes, and you can meet dogs available through Recycled Poms and Doodle Rock Rescue. There will also be a raffle, and cocktails and light bites will be provided by Mutts Canine Cantina and Dulce Vida Tequila. 500 Crescent Court. Free admission. R.S.V.P.s to madison@volkpr.com are requested. 214-871-3600. facebook.com/volkpr.

•Mutts Canine Cantina is celebrating the Dog Days of Summer with vendors, pools for the pooches and $3 frozen drinks and Lagunitas from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 16. 2889 Cityplace W. Blvd. (at Oak Grove Avenue). 214-377-8723. facebook.com/muttscaninecantina.

•Pelican’s SnoBalls in Fort Worth’s Camp Bowie District will celebrate its ribbon cutting at 11:15 a.m. Thursday with samples, 50-cent Pup Cups, live music and more all day. 6517 Camp Bowie Blvd. facebook.com/pelicansfortworth.

•White Rock Dog Rescue will receive 20 percent of your bill if you eat at the BuzzBrews in Lakewood on Thursday. From 4 to 10 p.m. They have Dallas’ dog-friendly patio variance, and adoptable pups will be there. 5815 Live Oak St., #102. 214-370-5815. facebook.com/whiterockdog.

Ears up

•You can get a sneak preview of Life in the Doghouse, a documentary about two men who started their own dog rescue group, on Aug. 25 at Studio Movie Grill in Plano, 4721 West Park Blvd. The 5 p.m. showing is $25 for the movie only. Screenings at 6:30, 7 and 7:30 are $70 and include a red carpet meet and greet with the cast and crew, a photo opportunity and a Q&A with the filmmaker and the subjects of the film, who have saved over 10,000 dogs in the last 10 years. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com/e/life-in-the-dog-house-tickets-47046248596. Proceeds will benefit DFW Rescue Me, Humane Tomorrow and Straydog. In addition to the screenings, Neiman Marcus at the Shops at Willow Bend, 2201 Dallas Parkway, will host an adoption event featuring the three dog rescues from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that same day. Proceeds from desserts at Neiman Marcus Café will benefit the groups.

•Coming up: Dog Splash Day at Terrace Pool in Richardson on Aug. 18; Dog-A-Pooloozaat Holford Pool in Garland on Aug. 19; Woofstock in Bedford on Aug. 24; Canines and Kayaks at Paddle Point Park in Rowlett on Aug. 25; Dog Day Afternoon at Lake Highlands North Pool and #PlanoPup National Dog Day celebration at Henry’s Tavern in Plano on Aug. 26; PupCrawl at The Shops at Legacy in Plano on Aug. 29; the Unleash Mobility Dog Walk & Festival in Wylie on Sept. 1; the Pawsitive Vibesconcert at BackYard on Bell in Denton on Sept. 2; Wags and Waves at the Hawaiian Falls in Garland, Doggie Dive-Ins at Lewisville’s Sun Valley Aquatic Center and Grapevine’s Pleasant Glade Pool, Dog Splashin Bedford, Paws in the Pool at the Frisco Water Park, Carrollton’s Pooch Pool Party at Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex and Dog Day Afternoon at Operation Kindness in Carrollton on Sept. 8; the Bow-Wow Luau at the Hawaiian Falls Waterpark in The Colony and K-9 Kerplunk at Plano’s Oak Point Recreation Center on Sept. 9; the Doggie Beach Bash at NRH2O in North Richland Hills on Sept. 29; Dog Days of Denton on Oct. 6; the FloMo Food Truck Fest on Oct. 7; PawPalooza at ZBonz Dog Park in Fort Worth on Oct. 20; Pawtoberfestin Huffhines Park on Oct. 27.