Aug. 25, 2026

Local dogs got their day in the sun—and in the water—as the Burleson Recreation Center (BRiCk) opened its outdoor pool for the annual Splish Splash Doggie Bash. The end-of-summer tradition drew energetic four-legged swimmers, happy pet parents, and local vendors for a fun-filled day dedicated to man’s best friend.

Organizing the community favorite takes plenty of coordination behind the scenes. Hannah Paz, who served as event coordinator, marked her fifth year heading up vendor arrangements and pet registrations. Thanks to her efforts, the pool deck stayed organized and easy to navigate for incoming families and their pets.

Overseeing the day’s activities was event lead Brennen Russell. For Russell, the Doggie Bash was also a family affair—his family attended the event with their own dog, allowing him to grab a few moments between duties to spend time with them in the water. That hands-on time wrestling a happy, water-loving pup out of the pool left a clear mark, as Russell ended the day noticeably sports-red and scratched up across his chest—a familiar badge of honor for any dedicated dog owner!

The event drew pet owners from across the region, including Alfred C. and his wife, who traveled all the way from the Dallas area after spotting the event on Instagram. Bringing their dog, Yuki, to check out the splash zone for the first time, Alfred shared that the trip was well worth it.

“Yuki likes the water,” Alfred noted. “It’s nice that it’s not too crowded, and it’s our first time here.”

The event divided pool time by size—giving smaller dogs their own dedicated morning session before opening up the pool to larger breeds—ensuring every pet could paddle safely. Organizers noted that while the small dog turnout is always strong, the crowd for big dogs continues to grow every year.

As the summer season winds down, the annual pool party remains a popular and easy way for local and visiting families to celebrate. With happy tails, wet fur, and a community of passionate pet lovers coming together, this year’s bash proved once again to be one of the BRiCk’s best summer send-offs

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