by DCist contributor Leigh Bailey

It was canine chaos at Saturday’s Community Doggie Dip at the Washington Hilton, a fundraiser for the Washington Humane Society which hosted some 50 dogs who had full run of the pool area and its heated, saline treated pool, which had just closed for the season.

The Hilton provided not only free pool access for pooches, but towels, dog treats and hot apple cider (for the humans). It took a while for most dogs to take the pool plunge. Owners coaxed with treats and tempted with toys, and eventually a solid contingent made the water theirs.

Wiley, a Shepherd/Husky mix, was the first one in, and she was a diehard pool puppy all afternoon. The waters were dominated by the Labs, Retrievers and two beautiful Vizslas but there was also Tucker, the Jack Russell Terrier, who held his own with his larger brethren.

Belle the Portuguese Water Dog ruled the kiddie pool and even Karl, a greyhound and “mama’s boy,” finally waded into the baby pool after his owner warmed him up with a run. Soon a layer of fur floated on the pool’s surface and all the human participants were slightly damp, as dogs shook themselves each time they got out of the pool.

Those who didn’t brave the water ran rampant around the pool, and on and off lounge chairs. There were incidents of stolen toys and treats. Dog parents chatted, discussing how tired their pups would be later and hustled to break up the occasional fight. It turned out a lot of the dogs present had been adopted from the Humane Society and rescue organizations. There were celebrity appearances by several adoption candidates from the Washington Humane Society and a couple from the newly reformed City Dogs Rescue.

The day ended with a lot of tired, damp dogs and humans, and a generous “kitty” for the Humane Society.