The Shawnee County Parks and Recreation understands that best friends come in all shapes and sizes.

In fact, Dog’s Day Out at Lake Shawnee Swim Beach is an annual Topeka event catering to the furry and four-legged companions of their human best friends.

“It’s about being able to spend time with one of the most important factors in my life only he happens to be a dog,” said Kristin Mathewson, annual attendee of Dog’s Day Out. “We get to do the things that are fun for him and even take a dip in the lake afterwards.”

This year on Aug. 26, not only will Shawnee County Parks and Recreation be continuing Dog’s Day Out, but they will be adding an event titled Bark For Life. Much like its human counterpart Run For Life, this event is a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society.

“I would like to attend,” said Peyton Sloan, senior history major, “I think of my dogs as more than just man’s best friend. They are like my children, and I don’t know what I would do if something happened to them.”

Both events will run from 10 a.m., until 3 p.m. and will allow for multiple fun exercise activities including doggie Olympics, small dog swim and large dog swim. The doggie Olympics consists of fastest dog run, longest dog run, fastest dog swim, quickest ball retrieval, trick show and obstacle course and runs from 10 a.m. to noon. Afterwards will be the small dog swim from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and then lastly the large dog swim from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The registration fee for the event will be $10 with all proceeds going toward the fight against cancer. Any additional information and registration can be found by calling (785) 267-1156.