It may seem silly to have your dog’s photo taken with Santa, but did you know that rescue groups or shelters often benefit from these events? Check with your local humane society, animal shelter, PetsMart, PetCo, Three Dog Bakery, or other canine specialty shop to find a Photos with Santa event in your area. A reservation is sometimes required.

Can’t make the photo sitting? Why not play Santa and put something in a shelter or rescue group’s stocking? Pull up your favorite shelter or dog rescue group’s website. Most publish their wish lists, and often you can make donations online. Below are a few examples of donation pages from several rescue groups:

• Faery Tails Corgi Rescue
• Corgi Aid
• Stray Rescue of St. Louis
• Virginia German Shepherd Rescue
• NCA Newf Rescue Fund

Donations of any size will always be gratefully accepted.

In pools across the country, end-of-season dog swims are being held to benefit shelters, humane societies, dog parks, and pro-animal legislation.

In St. Louis, dogs and their owners attended pool parties that began in early August and continued through Labor Day. St. Louis’ U City pool party celebrated it’s fourth year and welcomed more then 300 dogs and their owners into the water. (See the “Snouts in Your Town” video in Windows Media Format or Quick Time.)

In Pittsburgh, 300 dogs swam in Sandcastle Water Park’s wave pool, kiddie pool, and beach area. These lucky dogs were served snowcones with a choice of beef or chicken broth.

A pool party in Salt Lake City included an adoption fair, a vaccination event, and even a long jump contest.

A sense of humor abounded in the names…Bloomington Indiana’s Bryant Park pool christened the event “Drool in the Pool”. Many pools had contests and games for the dogs.

Most pools provided fresh water and some provided shade for the dogs. Veterinarians and humane society officials were on hand in some locations. Lifeguards were present when the owners were allowed to swim with their dogs.

The average cost of a day at the pool was a bargain at $5-$10.

In general, the rules were:

• No aggressive dogs
• No dogs that are in heat
• Dogs must wear ID and rabies tags
• Dogs must be leashed while not swimming.
• Owners must clean up after their dogs.

Check your local paper and mark your calendar for next summer’s swims!