This year, Second Chance, Ouray County's chapter of the Humane Society, has offered dog lovers the opportunity to run with their dogs (the annual Rover Run), dine with their dogs (the ever-popular Fur Ball), and now, to swim with their dogs during this weekend's first ever Dog Paddle, a fundraiser for the organization.

The Dog Paddle will take place at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool this Sunday, Oct. 9. A hot dog picnic in the park next to the hot springs will begin the evening's dog-friendly festivities at 7 p.m., followed by an hour of water-logged fun for dogs and people alike as they jump into the pool, starting at 8 p.m. Cost for the event is $15, and includes the picnic plus entry into the pool with up to two dogs per person. All funds generated from the Dog Paddle will go toward assisting some of the thousands of wayward pets left homeless or separated from their families following the recent Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita disasters.

Just last week, nearly 80 canines and a handful of felines were transported from hurricane-stricken New Orleans to foster homes in the Four Corners area. All money raised by the Dog Paddle will go toward covering expenses related to the ongoing care of these foster pets, many of whom have required extensive veterinary treatment since arriving in Durango last Friday. Many of the dogs tested positive for heartworm, are suffering from mange or are stricken with other health and behavioral problems resulting from living in the noxious streets of New Orleans or overcrowded shelters.

Second Chance Humane Society's Luna Forrest and Juliet Whitfield put their heads together to coordinate the Dog Paddle.

"I've talked with the Ouray Parks Director as well as the head lifeguard at the Ouray Pool, and everyone is very excited to be hosting a Second Chance event at the hot springs," Forrest said. "As long as everything goes smoothly, we'll be invited back to make this a yearly event."

Allowing dogs into the traditionally people-only pool facility is indeed a logistical challenge, but has been made possible because the pool will shut down the following day and drained for its regularly scheduled off-season cleaning.

People and dogs attending Sunday night's Dog Paddle will have full access to the pool's dressing rooms and other facilities. Dogs will not be allowed in the hottest pool, but will be able to swim in all other pools.

Forrest suggested pet owners bring a nylon leash that can get wet, as well as a towel and toys for their dog. "As long as owners make sure their dogs are well-behaved, I don't expect there to be any problems, just a lot of fun," she said, adding that there will be lifeguards on duty to watch over the people, but dog owners will be solely responsible for the safety of their pets.