Friends of the four-footed variety cooled off, swam, played on the grass and chased balls at the 2nd annual Bark in the Water Park at the Great Bend Aquatic Center. With tails wagging and perked ears, their joy was evident with their day of sunbathing and swimming.

The pool has already been closed to humans, but dogs were allowed prior to its draining. Organizer Mindy Hickel expected 140-150 dogs to show up Saturday.

The first event was to raise money for a dog park which has been completed. The dog park, located in the northwest corner of Veteran’s Lake, is fenced in and has a shelter. A plus for male dogs is a fire hydrant. It even has a water fountain with running water, because, as every dog knows, water tastes better from the fountain than in a bowl.

The money raised Saturday will be used for an obstacle course including squashed pipes. Mindy Hickel, chairperson, emphasized that is not an agility course.

"The dog park is going very well," said Hickel. "People take care of it."

It is required at the dog park for owners to dispose of dog deposits, and there are plastic bags located throughout the park for that particular task.

The dog park was built through donations.