Dog Days of Summer This Saturday
This Saturday is Project Freedom Ride’s very first Dog Days of Summer event, sponsored by Dog On It Training & Grooming, Hollywood Feed, Furbabies Mobile Grooming, and Butler Automotive. Project Freedom Ride is a non-profit organization whose mission is to connect unwanted and abandoned dogs in Texas & Georgia with families and rescues throughout the US & parts of Canada. What started as a little boy’s wish to help find homes for local abandoned pets has become a saving grace to thousands of animals in need.
Project Freedom Ride
Project Freedom Ride’s founder Roman McConn was just 5 years old when they had their first transport. Growing up with a love for animals and finding out that not all animals make it out of the shelters was enough to set this young man on a path to saving as many as he could. While initially he simply wanted to help a few dogs find homes, as he and his family got more and more involved with the cause, it eventually became Project Freedom Ride…and he continues to push his mission forward!
With the help of his family, Romans’ big heart for dogs has saved the lives of many unwanted and abandoned dogs (and a few cats) in Texas and Georgia by connecting them with rescues and families throughout the US and parts of Canada.
Dog Days Of Summer
This Saturday’s event is an opportunity to celebrate Project Freedom Ride and our canine companions who make life better! There will be lots of activities with lots of booths and vendors all with merchandise for your dog There will be food trucks on hand plus lots of fun activities for your family, even some that your dog can participate in! Let them make some dog art or get some swag from one of the vendors.
There’s even a dunk tank – and as warm as it’s been lately, it might feel great to get dunked!! All the fun kicks off at 10 am with a Dog & Family Yoga session, followed by a Columbia County Sheriff’s K9 Unit demonstration, Dog On It’s Obedience & Tricks performance, and potentially Ft. Eisenhower’s K9 unit showing off their talents.
Don’t miss out on all the fun this Saturday, July 13th from 10 am-2 pm at the Columbia County Amphitheatre Park in Evans Town Center, and bring the pups!
Water Safety For Summer In The CSRA
1. Never Swim Alone
When it comes to swimming, whether in a pool or in the open water, you should never swim alone. Ideally, having a lifeguard present would be best, but if there isn’t one, at least have other people nearby in case of an issue. Swimming with friends is more fun anyway, and it’s good to have people looking out for you and you can look out for them. In open water areas, the chances of having a lifeguard present is very low.
You should follow any posted signed wherever you swim, and never leave children unattended.
2. Use Life Jackets
Regardless of swimming ability, it’s recommended you always wear a life jacket when you’re on a boat. Life jackets should also be used with children and anyone who doesn’t know how to swim. These life jackets should be U.S. Coast Guard-approved and appropriate for your weight and size and the water activity.
3. Understand The Water Environment
For the most part, you know what to expect with a swimming pool. But it’s important that children and those with limited or no swimming abilities know the depth of the pool and the areas where it’s more shallow. When it comes to open water, it’s important to be aware of the risk for currents in a river or the ocean.
Also keep in mind that in new areas, you may not be aware of the depth. This is important to know, and may be more difficult with unclear water. Open water also includes being aware of what may be beneath the water’s surface, including vegetation and wildlife.
4. Enter The Water Feet First
Diving into water that is too shallow could lead to injury or death. It’s important to enter the water properly, and only jump or dive in where it’s safe to do so.
5. Encourage Learning To Swim
Learning to swim can be extremely helpful in preventing water-related injury or death. Even basic swim lessons can teach water competency which includes entering the water, getting a breath, and how to stay afloat.
6. Learn CPR
While knowing water safety can prevent some risks, accidents can still happen. If a drowning or pool-related accident occurs, knowing lifesaving techniques, including CPR could mean the difference between life and death. The American Red Cross offers CPR classes, and you can get details and find the next available class HERE.
