Clinton Lewis/Daily News

The Russell Sims Aquatic Center at Preston Miller Park went to the dogs Saturday. Literally. More than 200 pooches and their owners came out to show their support to the Warren County Humane Society and take a dip in the pool at the aquatic centers first-ever Puppy Paddle. The event drew a bigger crowd than organizers had expected, said Pam Coleman, a water park employee. I was surprised how many people came in and everybody seems to be having a good time, plus its for a good cause, Coleman said. Admission to the event was $3 per dog humans were admitted for free with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit the Humane Society, which also had dogs at the site available for adoption, she said. Richard Slaughter of Bowling Green was at Saturdays event along with his wife, their three children and two dachshund puppies. The puppies, Hazel and Frank, liked the water, but got a little cold after a few minutes, Slaughter said. The children, on the other hand, stayed in the pool for hours, he said. Everybodys having a great time, Slaughter said. I think this is a great event and a great thing the water park is doing. Ron Drummond of Bowling Green lobbed tennis balls into the water parks Olympic-size lap pool, where they were retrieved by his Labrador, Josie. Shes a hunting dog whos trained to retrieve ducks and so on, so she likes the water anyway, but this is the first time Ive brought her out here, Drummond said. I think its great. Using the event to raise money for the Humane Society is also a good idea, he said. Anything we can do to help the society, we should, Drummond said. Any pet owner would tell you that what they do is extremely important. Other dog owners took a more relaxing approach to the event. Pam Witcher of Bowling Green and her dog Bo were content to drift in the pool on floats. Bo, a 10-year-old golden retriever, has lost some of his stamina and cant swim for long stretches, although he still loves the water, Witcher said. So I have these floats for us and we can just take it easy, she said. Hell swim off the floats for a little while and then swim back. Witcher has a season pass to the water park and comes several times each summer, she said. Every time I would come here, I always thought to myself, I wish I could bring Bo because hed really like this, Witcher said. So I think its wonderful that theyre doing this. I hope they do it every year. Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Director Ernie Gouvas said the event was based on a similar one that has been quite successful in Lexington. Since the Sims Center is currently closed for the season, now was a perfect time of year to hold the event, and the parks department decided to partner with the Humane Society, Gouvas said. Its a chance for owners to have a good time with their dogs and its to support a good cause, he said.