We finally made it to the Texas Jump Off at the Texas Hunter's Classic show in San Antonio yesterday. I went expecting to see amazing jumps and top rated dogs flying off the dock. What I saw was just as entertaining...but not exactly the cream of the crop jumpers. I got tickled watching owners leading their dogs up the ramp and gearing them up for "the jump". Kinda reminded me of hopeful parents who drag their kids to dance class, Pop Warner football leagues, clarinet lessons, and choir hoping (and praying) that their baby will have the "it" factor.
I had reported in my previous blogs that any kind of dog can compete in Dock Dog Competition...not ever dreaming I would see a Standard Poodle getting ready to jump. "Oh my gosh"...I thought..."If this poodle can jump, I'll just die laughing right here...". So...I waited...with camera in hand...ready for this gal poodle to jump. Her owner got her excited as she taunted her with the toy she would be retrieving. As excited as she was getting I thought..."This is gonna be good".
Then it happened...the owner ran towards the end of the dock with the poodle following close behind... BOOM!...the bait was tossed and the poodle came to a screeching halt at the end of the dock. Awwwwwwwwww...dang it. She chickened out. She gave her owner a look that said..."Hey...you don't actually want me to get wet and get that ball do you? I've got an image to maintain." The owner was disappointed...and so was the crowd. Even so...it WAS funny.
It took several more jumps to get a really good one. It was obvious which dogs would be going to the finals. At first I was disappointed...but then got filled up with hope knowing that my new puppy, Bell, would have a place to compete without feeling totally embarrassed. Let me re-phrase that... At least there would be a place "I" could take Bell to compete without being totally embarrassed.
Dock Dog competition still rocks in my book...I'm just gonna have to keep looking for more events to attend.
Dock Dog competition is just one of the many ways folks celebrate living the "rural lifestyle". If you have been itching to get out of the city and into the country or one of the small towns outside of San Antonio...give me a call. I can help! I love living the rural lifestyle and would be so pleased to help you do the same.
Comments(7)