The Paw-lympics: Dog's Day Out

By Anna Albrecht (SAHS Volunteer)

Without a doubt, a highlight of 2024 is the Olympic Games in Paris, France. The event has drawn attention near and far, from Olympic village talk to watching athletes shine in competition. Whether it’s Simone Biles flying through the air or Katie Ledecky  speeding through the water, crowds of people rooting for America’s Olympians are a staple of the summer.

However, a lesser-known crowd of athletes took center stage this past week: introducing the stars of the San Antonio Humane Society Olympic team. 

On August 1, Alfie, Nick, and Cailey ventured out of the SAHS campus to showcase their talents at the Lucy’s Doggy Daycare arena. The location at 1604 allowed for a wide open space to host the athletes for the competition of a lifetime.

The day of activities was a part of the Lucy’s Lends a Paw program, dedicated to continuing Lucy’s legacy of giving back to pups in need. Through partnerships with Kens5, glow up spa days for animals in shelters, and daycare packages included in some dog’s adoption fees, Lucy’s strives to play an active role in helping animals find their forever home.

“It's such a special part of Lucy's Doggy Daycare. The heartbeat of the brand is centered on our love for the pups,” said Hannah Snyder, manager of the Lucy’s Lends a Paw program, “We think all dogs deserve the world and a family.” Today, they are taking on a mini version of the world stage!

The competitors scoping out the water features of the field.

Alfie devises a game plan.

Some friendly competition between the Olympians before the first event kicks off. 

The first competition was a good old fashioned sprint. The dogs lined up and eagerly waited on their marks. With a lot of cheering (and a little treat bribery), the pups put all their might into sprinting to the finish line.

The race ended in a photo finish as the dogs were neck-and-neck with one another. After the judges reviewed the footage, Cailey was crowned the winner of the sprint, putting her in the lead right off the bat. Watch out (Olympic sprinter from USA) you may have some competition!

Next up was the balance beam, where the pups traversed atop the grassy tunnel.

Although the competitors were apprehensive at first, they quickly warmed up and were ready to show off their strut.

The winner of this showdown was Nick, more famously known as Nick Biles, as he said Simone was his biggest inspiration in training for the games. His victory – despite attempted distraction from Cailey – is pictured below.

At this point, the stakes were getting high with Nick and Cailey tied 1-1, but still enough time for Alfie’s comeback strategy to come to life. The competitors moved to the pool area to be judged on their speed and splash: the most anticipated competition yet!

 

The athletes prepare to race through the water.

 

Cailey immediately took the lead, already partial to the water, bringing home her second win in the games. Her victory splashes only emphasized her true talent for water sports.

 

Cailey basking in her recent win.

With only one competition left, it wasn’t in Alfie’s favor to take home the gold – but he had been strategizing the whole time, knowing where his true strengths lie. The last event took place right in the middle of the lawn, under the shade of tree.

 

Snyder kneeled down, arms outstretched towards the competitors: belly rubs, the most ancient form of Pawlympic competitions. Though all dogs performed well, Alfie easily took home the win, practically melting into Snyder’s arms.

 

The results were in. The competitors eagerly lined up, but there was a catch to this version of the games: all the dogs were winners. Each pup had unique talents that were displayed during the trials and tribulations of the games, showing just how special they all were.

 

You may be wondering what the post-games plans are for these fierce competitors – well, you could be a part of those plans! All three pups are currently up for adoption at the San Antonio Humane Society and can join your world today. Who wouldn’t want a gold-medalist to keep them company?