Dogs avoid toxic algae in this canine-friendly pool
"Didn't want to take a chance on swimming my dogs at the lakes. They've been there a few times, but it's earlier in the season, before the blue-green algae starts to come out. I actually have one person that I know that one of her dogs actually died from it," O'Handley says.
RELATED:
Dock diving is a sport growing in popularity that measures how far a dog can jump. A regulation-size pool is fifteen metres, but this one is only ten; it still makes for good practice, though.
There's a long dock where the dog sits waiting for the toy to be thrown out into the pool. The distance the dogs jump is measured, and they can earn different titles for their feats.
Dog practicing dock diving at the Crazy Dog Splash Pad in St. Croix, N.S. (Nathan Coleman/TWN)
Belgian shepherd Bijou is 3 years old and rides in the car for 45 minutes to swim here safely.
"I actually have a big acre-sized pond on my property, and I don't even swim my guys on it because of the blue-green algae," says Bijou's owner, Ashley Dussault.
SEE ALSO:
Meanwhile, another customer, Ziggy, is 12 years old and enjoying the pool.
"It helps her mobility a lot because there's a lot less stress on their joints when they're swimming," comments Ziggy's owner, Tara Bayne. "Given the heat that we've been having, she can get some exercise, you know—the water cools them down, so they don't have to be worried about being outside in the extreme heat."
Whether you're training to be the next top dog or just in it to stay cool, you can't say any of these dogs have it 'ruff.'
Check out the video above to see some awesome dock diving in action.
Copyedited by Anika Beaudry, a digital journalist at The Weather Network.
Thumbnail image taken by Nathan Coleman.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Read the full text of the judge's verdict in the Hockey Canada sex assault trial
Justice Maria Carroccia's acquitted five former Canadian world junior hockey players of sexual assault in a high-profile trial in London, Ont. Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote had been charged in relation to a 2018 incident involving the complainant, identified as E.M. due to a publication ban, in a London, Ont., hotel room. 'Considering the evidence in this trial as a whole, I conclude that the Crown cannot meet its onus on any of the counts,' she said, adding that she did not find the complainant's testimony to be 'either credible or reliable.' Read the full text of the Ontario Superior Court justice's verdict, which was delivered in a London courtroom on July 25, 2025:
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Here's how key people reacted after five hockey players were acquitted of sex assault
Reaction was swift after five former junior hockey players were acquitted Thursday in a high-profile sexual assault trial that captured national attention. Here's a look at what key people had to say in the immediate aftermath of the judge's not guilty ruling for Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote. --- "Justice Carroccia's carefully reasoned decision represents a resounding vindication for Mr. McLeod and his co-defendants. ... The damage to Mr. McLeod's reputation and his career has been significant. But today's decision begins to restore what was very unfairly taken away from him." — David Humphrey, a lawyer for Michael McLeod --- "A criminal trial is rarely an opportunity for vindication — here it is. It is both gratifying and unsurprising to hear an impartial and fully informed decisionmaker accept Mr. Hart's testimony about what happened. ... To anyone who is surprised or angered by today's outcome, it is the direct result of the media's ongoing failure to publicize the weaknesses in the prosecution's case as it unfolded." — Megan Savard, a lawyer for Carter Hart --- "This case stands to the fact that we must never lose sight of the fundamental right to be presumed innocent. Now more than ever before, a fair response to sexual assault claims requires a balanced perspective and public trust in the decision making of the courts." — Daniel Brown, a lawyer for Alex Formenton --- "This decision comes as a result of careful deliberation by her honour. She engaged with the evidence in a thoughtful, methodical and principled manner. Her reasons reflect not only a command of the legal principles at stake, but also a deep sense of responsibility in assessing the evidence, applying the law and demonstrating a strong commitment to justice." — Julia Santarossa, a lawyer for Dillon Dube --- "At the start of this trial, Cal Foote walked into this courthouse an innocent man, and he walks out today exactly that. Cal never lost faith that justice would be done despite the clamour of external pressures and agendas outside the courthouse doors. Criminal investigations and the trial process must always be free from these influences." — Julianna Greenspan, a lawyer for Cal Foote --- "The Crown's goal throughout this proceeding has been to see a fair trial, a trial that is fair to the men charged and one that is also fair to (the complainant). A fair trial is one where decisions are made based on the evidence and the law, not on stereotypes and assumptions, and where the trial process respects the security, equality and privacy rights of the victim, as well as the accused persons. We want to thank (the complainant) for coming forward and for her strength in participating in this process." — Prosecutor Meaghan Cunningham. --- "I expect many people understand that when a person summons the courage to disclose their story, the worst possible outcome is to feel disbelieved. It's a gutting experience that no one deserves. That's why today's verdict is so devastating. (The complainant) did everything in her power to recount her experience honestly and to the best of her ability. She agreed to do everything asked of her by the criminal justice system ... yet it was not enough. Now she questions what more could she have done?" — Karen Bellehumeur, the complainant's lawyer. --- "This investigation has generated important conversations at both national and international levels about sexual violence, accountability, and systemic issues within institutions, including sport. We see this as an opportunity to reflect, learn, and enhance our approach to investigating sexual violence, strengthening our training, and deepening partnerships with community organizations." — London police Chief Thai Truong --- "As the national governing body for amateur hockey in Canada, Hockey Canada recognizes our role, responsibility and duty to be a leader in delivering a sport that is rooted in safety, inclusiveness and respect. Since 2022, we have implemented significant initiatives to help transform the culture and safety of hockey, including many that were announced as part of Hockey Canada's Action Plan. ... While important progress has been made since 2022, there is still more work to be done and we will continue to be transparent and accountable to Canadians as we drive systemic change within our National Winter Sport." — Hockey Canada statement This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025. The Canadian Press
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
How Laura Stacey is using road hockey to give back to the 2 cities that have shaped her career
In the summer of 2018, Laura Stacey had an Olympic silver medal to her name, and little sense of what might be next for her. Two years after she'd graduated from Dartmouth College, Stacey had just won the Clarkson Cup, the top prize of the now-defunct Canadian Women's Hockey League, with the Markham Thunder. But pro women's hockey didn't pay the bills back then, and Stacey's spot on the national team was far from guaranteed. "I remember my parents asking me early on when I graduated [in 2016], how long are you going to do this for?" the Montreal Victoire forward recalled. It was at her parents' house one day, after a neighbourhood road hockey game on Stacey's 24th birthday, when her now-brother-in-law asked her: why don't you do this? By "this," he meant organize a road hockey tournament. Stacey, who's from Kleinburg, Ont., north of Toronto, put together a tournament that August with the help of her pro teammates. Since then, it's grown into an annual event, called Sticks In For Charity, and a registered charitable organization, the LS7 Foundation, that has raised nearly $200,000. The money has gone toward helping children access sports and arts programming, among other causes."The reason we started this was just to simply get kids and people and neighbours in that community out on the street, off their phones, off their computers," Stacey said in an interview with CBC Sports. "That worked in that day. But how could we continue on that path of allowing kids, people, individuals the chance to play? And so that's kind of where it all came from." As the PWHL and women's hockey have grown in popularity, so have the number of kids and adults who want the chance to play a road hockey game alongside some of the league's biggest stars. This year's tournament in Toronto included Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin, New York's Sarah Fillier, Toronto's Renata Fast and Ottawa's Emily Clark, among others. It raised $65,000, blasting past the original target of $50,000. Her work with the foundation also earned Stacey this year's PWHL's Hockey For All Award, A Scotiabank-sponsored prize that recognizes a player's community work. The bank donates $10,000 to a charity of the winner's choice "that supports youth or grassroots hockey, with a focus on accessibility, diversity, and inclusion." And this August, for the first time, Stacey will hold a Sticks In For Charity road hockey tournament in Montreal, the city that has become her home. It's her way of giving back to a city that has embraced her, and grown her career to heights she may not have been able to imagine back in 2018, when the feeling of defeat at the Olympics was fresh in her mind. "They've lifted me up and I think if I can do anything to lift them up, and the community that I'm playing in, then I think that's exactly what I want to do," Stacey said. Evolving on and off the ice Growing up in the Toronto area, Stacey cheered for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The name of her great-grandfather, King Clancy, hangs in the rafters of Scotiabank Arena. She wears the same number 7 on her jersey as he did. But it's been in Montreal where Stacey's career has grown the most over the last five seasons. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when most players were off the ice, now-Victoire GM Danièle Sauvageau got permission for national team players to continue training safely at Centre 21.02, the high-performance centre inside Verdun Auditorium that was built for the best female hockey players. Before the PWHL existed, it was a rare opportunity for players like Stacey to find everything they needed in one place. "The way it's helped me is just the professionalism," she said about training in Montreal. "I'm constantly surrounded by some of the best players in the world. I'm constantly surrounded by the best staff, skills coaches. Everything is just right there at your fingertips. At that point, it's on you to just want to get better." Since moving to Montreal, Stacey has earned an Olympic gold medal and three world championships with Team Canada, and has become one of the best power forwards in the game. Her speed and skill have made her a top-line player and a star with the Victoire, finishing in the PWHL's top 10 in goals and points last season. Stacey also led the league in shots. When she won Olympic gold in 2022, her name was often at the bottom of Canada's lineup. But Stacey's ability to do it all, from the power play to the penalty kill, will earn her a much bigger role in Italy this February. "I see what she does behind the scenes, the amount of work she's put into this foundation," Montreal captain Poulin, who is also married to Stacey, said at the league's awards gala in June. "She's so proud of it, and it's unbelievable. I'm very happy for her to get rewarded. To see what she's done off the ice but also on the ice, I think she's proven herself to be a great player in this league. I'm very fortunate to be able to see her evolve, day in and day out." Foundation to benefit 4 charities this year In Montreal, Victoire fans have embraced Stacey, even though she's not from Quebec. She's even trying to become a Montreal Canadiens fan. "This city treats me as if I'm one of their own," she said. "They've completely welcomed me with open arms. They've supported me. They've cheered me on more than I ever thought they would have." The same neighbourhood where Stacey trains, Verdun, will play host to the Sticks In For Charity tournament on Aug. 23. The proceeds raised by the LS7 Foundation this year will benefit four charities: KidSport Ontario, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, Fitspirit-Fillactive and Canadian Tire Jumpstart, which is funding youth hockey initiatives led by Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender, Kim St-Pierre. In Montreal, it's a chance for Stacey to connect more with the community where she trains, and to see that impact up close. "If we can help some kids in the Verdun, Montreal community get active, get involved in sport, have that same opportunity me and my sister did, then I think that's a way of giving back and being appreciative of everything they've done for me," Stacey said. "Toronto and Montreal are both my homes, and so I want to be able to have an impact and give back to both those two cities."