WATERLOO - It took some tugs, pleas and shoves for many to get their paws wet at Byrnes Park pool Wednesday night.

Raymond Pittman, clad in street clothes with jeans rolled to his knees, waded in to persuade his 10-month-old pit bull, Peaches, that the water felt great.

"She'll jump in any dirty water but not the clean water because I guess it's too much water for her," Pittman said.

Attendance for the two-hour doggie dip doubled in its second year, with about 40 dogs plus their companions, said cashier Joe Russell of Waterloo. Proceeds benefit a future dog park near the intersection of Ansborough and Campbell avenues.

Chlorine levels are low for the season-ending event, followed by draining of the pool and washing out hair-clogged filters.

A lip on the edge of Byrnes pool seemed to test the nerves of dogs like second-year participant Sadie, a golden retriever.

"She doesn't know about jumping in," said Katie Fleshner of Waterloo. "It takes a few minutes."

The swimming area resembled a big bathtub for Sydney, 3, a Yorkshire terrier who wanted nothing to do with it. Sydney's short legs dog paddled furiously to the pool's ledge.

On the other hand, 4-year-old Daisy nearly dragged her companion through the pool entrance. Once the leash was unhooked, she tore around the pool deck and - oops.

Splash!

"Oh, my god, she fell in," said Erie, laughing. "It's her first time swimming ever."

A zero-depth entry into the water and tennis balls to fetch helped pups ease into it.

And many finally did let loose - although a little too loose in some cases. Lindsey Joens, a deck-guard-turned-scooper, got a bit of a workout.

"They're loving life and making friends," Fleshner said. "It's a good way to end the summer."

The event is also a social time for the Byrnes staff and for those who didn't bring dogs.

"I'd rather watch dogs than kids, I think," Russell said.

"Our lifeguards actually wanted to know if they could guard from the water, so they could play with the dogs," added Kelli Goerdt, Byrnes pool manager. Guards have been informed of dog CPR.

More dog-friendly events like this are exactly what the Cedar Valley needs, said Pittman, who recently moved to Waterloo from Chicago. Chris Erie of Waterloo echoed the idea.

"There's really no place clean to take your dogs," said Erie, who came with her golden retriever, Daisy, son, Henry, 2, and parents Margie and Terri Hoath of Waterloo. "(Daisy) is one of the family, and this is a nice little family outing."

Brenda Krapfl of Waterloo wrapped her soaked, shivering Browning, a 3-month German shorthaired pointer, in a beach towel to seal in some heat.

But others were thinking about cool treats to cap the warm summer day.

"Daddy, can we have Dairy Queen?" Riley Fleshner asked as they packed up to leave.

"I don't know," Bubba Fleshner replied. "You have to ask the dog."

Contact Tina Hinz at (319) 291-1484 or tina.hinz@wcfcourier.com.