Want to see a dog flying through the air? Being a “dock diving dog” is the closest man’s best friend will come to sprouting wings.
This weekend, a group of dogs and their people, including two dog diving champions, will be in Blue Ridge demonstrating their sport at the Humane Society of Blue Ridge’s annual fundraising pet party known as Paws in the Park. The event will take place Saturday, October 19 and Sunday October 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The special dock diving demonstration and competition by Ultimate Air Dogs, where dogs take a running leap after a toy into a pool of water, will take place throughout the weekend. There are “Splashes” at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, plus a “Fetch-it” demonstration at 4 p.m. On Sunday, there are Splashes at 10 a.m. and noon, plus a “Catch-it” competition at 2 p.m. The finals will be at 3 p.m., according to organizers. They say they hope for at least 20 dogs to participate in the dock diving.
Clyde Ware and his Yellow Labrador Retriever, Boudreaux, discovered the sport in 2014 when there was a dock diving show at Cohutta Feed Store. Ware said, “Boudreaux was able to try it, and he promptly jumped 14 feet, and we were hooked at that point.” Since then Boudreaux has “qualified for numerous National Championship invitational events and has competed in five of them, including three Ultimate Air Games at Purina Farms in Missouri and two North American Diving Dogs championships in Orlando.” Ware said his buddy is getting older now and can’t jump as far but that, “he still loves it and gives his absolute best every time he jumps.”
Ware also has Camille, a two-year-old Chesapeak Bay Retriever, who, he says, is already jumping better than her brother Boudreaux in his prime. Camille has champion diving blood running through her veins.
Her dad, Trout, was one of the few dogs in the country at the time who could consistently jump over 25 feet, Ware said. Unfortunately, Camille’s mom died shortly after birthing the litter, and most of her litter-mates died a few days later.
Camille and two litter-mates were rescued and bottle fed. Ware said of the three pups, Camille seems to have inherited the jumping gene, already jumping 22.5 feet.
Ingles is sponsoring a fundrasing booth where folks can purchase a tennis ball with a number on it. At a certain time, all the balls will be dumped into the pool and one of the dogs will be sent in to retrieve a ball. Whomever has purchased the chosen ball wins a prize!
Other Paws in the Park activities include pet photos, micro-chipping and a rabies clinic.
“We’ll have arts and crafts, pet supplies, food trucks, vendors, local stores, a little of everything, so come on down!” spokeswoman Robbie Muschamp said.
Pet Parade participants need to be in line no later than 9:45 a.m. for the 10 a.m. start at the corner of East Main and Church streets. All animals must be on a leash.
Those who are interested in being a vendor, sponsoring or have questions in general, may call 706-633-3103 or visit www.humanesocietyofblueridge.org.