Dog days of summer close with doggy dunkin’

What a way to close out the dog days of summer. The Monett Area YMCA allowed local pups and their owners to jump in the pool on Monday after the pool season was officially over. Traditionally running from July 3 through Aug. 11, dog days are representative of the hottest days of summer, when dogs tend to be a bit lazy. To combat that effect, Karen Orwit took her Border Collie pal, Charlie, for a fun dip to cool in the pool. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com

Taking a ride on the slide was Rosie, given a helpful push by Elvira Salazar. Rosie seemed a little timid of the rapid descent, but quickly tried to climb back up the slippery slide for another go-round during the doggy swim Monday evening at the Monett Area YMCA. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com

Brenda Burgherr and her furry friends, Mollie and Beau, were among those celebrating the end of dog days with a doggy swim at the Monett Area YMCA on Monday evening. Puppers and their owners both seemed to enjoy the cool water and the opportunity to enjoy some canine capers at the fundraising event to benefit a proposed dog park in Monett. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com

Danielle Roetto and her furry friend, Brutus, took part in the dog swim at the Monett Area YMCA on Monday evening, a fun free-for-all for pooches and their owners alike to enjoy a cool dip to close out the dog days of Summer. Brutus had to have a little encouragement to fully dive into the experience. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com

Modesty is everything. Lenny Davis and his ponderous pal, Pepper, took no chances with their dignity at Monday’s dog swim at the Monett Area YMCA. The event was a fundraising effort to benefit a proposed dog park in Monett. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com

It was a dog’s life — of leisure — Monday evening at the dog swim at the Monett Area YMCA. The event served as a fundraising effort to help build a proposed dog park on Front Street, with segregated area for big and little furry friends. Doggy door prizes were awarded throughout the event. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com

Swimming sure works up an appetite, and Donna Thomas indulged her Alaska Malamute, Shy, with a tasty treat at the dog swim, held Monday evening at the Monett Area YMCA. Participants had the opportunity to learn of the proposed plans for a dog park in Monett, with segregated areas for big canines and their smaller fur-buddy friends. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com

Jack Schulz is pictured with the proposed plans for a dog park to be built on Front Street in Monett. Schulz was at the dog swim fundraiser, held Monday night at the Monett Area YMCA, along with Dennis Pyle, city administrator, to inform local dog owners of the plan. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com