Saskatoon's Mayfair Pool opens for pooches

Dog owners can bring their pets to swim between 5 and 7 p.m. CST on Monday

Image | Simmonds and Graham

Caption: Mike Simmonds and his service dog Graham play by the poolside in Saskatoon. Simmonds died this week just a few days after his 50th birthday. (Madeline Kotzer/CBC News)

As the dog days of summer come to an end, a Saskatoon pool is holding a special day for man's best friend.
The City of Saskatoon is opening the Mayfair Pool for dogs Monday, the last day that pool will be open for the summer.
Jennie Yobb, who owns two Labrador retrievers, has been excited for the event since it was announced in July.
“I've been waiting for it. I've been posting it and sharing with a bunch of my friends,” she told CBC News. “Just 'cause it's great for them to get out and do something. And it's great for us as well, as the dog owners.”
People will not be able to swim with their dogs this year since the city isn’t sure if the water quality will be good enough to meet human health standards. City staff said the plan is to take water samples this year for testing to see if a co-species swim is possible in the future.

Photogallery | A dog's day of summer

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"If, from a water quality and sanitation perspective, there's really no dramatic change, I think maybe next year we might let them co-mingle," said Cary Humphrey, Director of Recreation and Sport, earlier this year.
The dog swim runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m CST.
Afterward, the pool will be closed for the season and staff will drain and clean it.