National DockDogs Event in Virginia Beach, VA

August 28, 2008

Virginia Beach, Va., is home to STIHL Inc. the world’s leading chain saw manufacturer, but for one weekend out of the year, it is also home to the biggest Dock Jumping competition in the country. Veterans and newcomers found their way to the National DockDogs event to participate in a jam-packed competition that delivered excitement from start to finish, including Rocky and I.

Throughout the weekend huge crowds of dog enthusiasts showed up to watch dogs participate in three disciplines: Big Air^®, Extreme Vertical^®, and Speed Retrieve^®. Rocky and I were definitely a team to watch throughout the weekend.

Starting things off Friday evening was the first round of Speed Retrieve. We had a long drive to Virginia Beach from the frozen tundra of Minnesota. I wasn’t sure Rocky would be ready, but after seeing him sprint down the dock on Speed Retrieve^®, my doubts turned in to confidence. He was ready. Rocky and I found our place at the top of the podium with a time of 6.293 seconds.

Picking up right where day one left off, the crowds and competitors showed up in droves for the second consecutive Speed Retrieve^® wave. Rocky and I finished on top again with a score of 6.107 seconds. This was Rocky’s personal best in Speed Retrieve^®. He sure is coming in to his own in this wonderful discipline.

In the final open wave of the weekend, the teams were bringing the heat in the last Speed Retrieve^® wave. After a false start on our first attempt, Rocky and I knew we had to hold back a bit at the starting gate as to not risk another. We put up a 6.377 second run which was good enough for second place. A big part of Speed Retrieve^® is the start. Rocky and I work very hard at timing the whole shot. This time around we pushed it a bit too much. Oh well, that’s the name of the game.

With all the scores tabulated, there was only one award left to give out. With 14 competitors, the Iron Dog competition ended up being a very close race. Rocky and I took third place with a score of 2967.85.

We had an action packed weekend away from the dock as well, taking time to visit STIHL headquarters, which was amazing. STIHL and I have been working together for a few years now and finally getting to visit the location where it all starts was awesome. We were also able work with some local animal shelters to help find wonderful homes for some very special canine companions, and as a very special finale to the weekend, Team STIHL’s own Erin LaVoie met up with us to see if I could help Erin’s special yellow Labrador retriever Lula learn the ins and outs of this great sport of ours. To no surprise, Lula showed us she was ready and put on quite a demonstration for the crowd. I think I better take Rocky back to the training field. He could be in trouble.

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