The author’s foster dog Josh loves to swim. Photo by Sarah Anne Hughes.

For the fifth year in a row, the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, along with the Department of Health and the Washington Humane Society, will turn three of the city’s pools over to the dogs for a day of swimming.

Doggie Day Swim will take place Saturday at Upshur Pool (84300 Arkansas Avenue NW), Francis Pool (825th and N Streets NW) and Randall Pool (25 I Street SW) from noon to 4 p.m. Dogs who come to swim must be up to date on all vaccinations and have a city-issued dog license. They must also be non-jerks to other dogs.

Check out these photos from the 2011 edition here (Update: this is from a different dog swim. Still cute!), and come back Monday to see photos from this year’s event.