Pool info

Some pugs have asked about our pool set up.

The pool is 12' in diameter. The water depth is about 20-24", but the inflatable ring adds a couple of inches to the height.

We got ours at Big Lots, but they seem to be out of stock. So here's the Walmart version. It comes with a filter pump. We change the filter once a week or so, if we use it a lot that week. The pug hair can clog it up. We do use a chlorine float to keep the algae to a minimum. The chlorine doesn't bother anyone's skin, but a good rinse off with the hose should help if anyone is sensitive.

The pool is on a patio. Mom puts down 4'x8' sheets of insulation, the foam kind with a silver backing, then puts the pool on top of that. It protects the pool from rubbing a hole in it from the pavers, and it provides a little insulation to help the pool warm up. If we lived further south, we'd probably have a big bed of sand for the pool area.

We have two ottomans made of faux wicker (resin).

 One in the pool, one out of the pool. This lets us pugs get in and out of the pool safely. They always go in the same place so we always know where to go. Although we can stand up on our back legs and have our heads out of the water and mom doesn't let us get in the pool without her, the ottomans stay where they are, just in case.

If any pugs out there want to try swimming, we do recommend life jackets. Isabelle wears one. She's a terrible swimmer, but it's really good exercise for her. She's a senior, black pug with a partially collapsing trachea and arthritis. Walks aren't really much of an option in the summer.

So mom makes her swim a few laps and wobble on the foam board for 10 minutes. It keeps her cool and helps strengthen her joints.

Anyway, Isabelle wears the life jacket because she would totally sink. Our friend Elliott who stays with us sometimes is even worse, even with the life jacket. Some pugs just aren't cut out for swimming.

We started swimming when we were little which probably made a big difference in how well we take to the water. But then again, Quincy loved to swim, too. He probably never went swimming before he came here. So you don't have to be a puppy to learn to like swimming.

And Petunia doesn't like to swim as much. She hops in to cool off, then gets out. She will swim some, but not that often. But as you all saw, Tallulah loves to swim. And mom loves to swim or at least splash around to stay cool. So it is completely worth it for us.