Kortrijk (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): An outdoor swimming event in Kortrijk drew over 500 dog owners, providing a safe space for dogs to swim. Organized time slots ensured comfort, with proceeds benefiting a local shelter.
In Kortrijk, a fun outdoor swimming pool event for dogs brought together over 500 excited dog owners on a sunny day. The event allowed dogs to swim in a safe and relaxed environment with their owners. One dog owner, who was there with his young puppy, shared his experience, saying he came to help his puppy learn to swim. Although the puppy was a bit scared of the water, the owner felt confident that he would get used to it as he watched him splash around.
How did Kortrijk’s dog swimming event unfold?
It has been said that the event organizers did a great job planning everything to avoid too many people and dogs at once, which made it fun for everyone. Participants had to sign up for specific 90-minute time slots, so there were never too many dogs or people in the pool together. This helped each dog swim comfortably and reduced any stressful moments. One dog owner liked this setup, saying it was nice not to feel crowded with too many pets and people. The well-organized event allowed dogs of all sizes and ages to swim, play, and enjoy the water safely, creating a fun and lively atmosphere just for them.
At the Lago swimming pool, the staff were happily surprised by how many visitors came and the different types of dogs they saw. Nathan Lemaire, who manages the outdoor pool, said they had all kinds of dogs, from big ones to tiny chihuahuas. To keep things running well, they brought in two dog trainers. Evi Waterbley from Partners in Paws mentioned that they watch the dogs closely when they first arrive to see how they interact with each other. If any dog seems too excited, barks a lot, or gets too close to others, they separate them for a bit. They mentioned that everything had been going smoothly without any problems.
Veerle Debaillie from the De Leiestreek shelter said this is very different from what they see at the shelter, where some animals aren’t well cared for. At Lago, the owners are happy and play with their dogs, making sure they have fun swimming. The money raised from this event will help the shelter, and Veerle is pleased about that. She also liked how well everything was organized, with time slots to avoid getting too crowded. After today from 8th September, the outdoor pool at Aabdikaai will be closed for about 10 months until next summer.
