Chengdu resident constructs vast swimming pool for dogs

A dog lover in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu has built a swimming pool for his dogs after one of them died of heat stroke.

Wu Fangzhou’s dog “Qiuqiu,” a Bichon Frise, died in the summer of 2015 of kidney failure caused by heat stroke. Wu mourned the dog for a very long time, causing his wife eventually to leave him because his grieving had become unbearable.

One day, Wu made up his mind to do something to commemorate “Qiuqiu.” In 2016, he found a piece of land measuring 2,000 square meters and decided to turn it into a swimming pool.

Wu now teaches his dogs how to swim in the pool and over 100 dogs have so far received such training. “Swimming can help build up their muscles, lessen anxiety and stimulate appetite,” Wu said.

The dogs have left more than 10 scars on his right arm but Wu said compared to his love for them, all the injuries and efforts are worthwhile.