- Avalon Park, FL pet photography -
When dogs are flying, you know you are at Doglympics. This was the second year of the event, produced by University of Doglando. It was our first time attending and let me tell you…we had So. Much. Fun. I’m not kidding, I was magnificently entertained for TWO WHOLE DAYS! There was so much going on, we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. Let’s start with the Dock Dogs competition and demo.
I’ve only ever seen these sports on ESPN or Outdoor Network and I’m always gripped to the telly in awe and hysterics. Watching these dogs live is ten times more exciting. The intensity, the form, the fun…it’s a hoot! Dock Dogs is an international organization with tail-wagging, dock-diving members who compete in water events all over the world. It’s a fabulous activity to get your dogs involved in…Because an exercised dog is well-behaved dog who doesn’t chew up your shoes, yay! We even got our Boxer, Mac, in on the action. A $25 fee included all day access to the dock, in between competitions. It also included one competition, if you were so inclined. We signed our boxer up. He wanted to. He’s no long distance jumper but he got off of the dock and made a big splash. We were proud of our little old man. Anyway….I highly recommend that you attend next year. You will not regret it.
I couldn’t help but post this. This was THE sweetest couple I’ve ever met in my entire life. I kid you not. The pit bull (adopted from a shelter, yay) had such a kind soul and gently watched over his sister, the Yorkie, when he wasn’t receiving belly rubs from me. 
I really could have sat and enjoyed a picnic with them all day long.
Below is Teena Patel, owner of University of Doglando, volunteering her life to raise money for the Orlando police dogs. By opting to pose as a vicious criminal, she was promptly and professionally mauled by a well-trained member of the Orlando police force. Her bravery and mock law-breakery helped to buy protective boots for the Orlando K-9 units to protect their paws when searching, investigating and ultimately making our town a safer place. Thanks Teena! 
There were also Flyball demos which, like dock-diving, can be watched all day long by me. It’s hilarious and incredible to see the speed and precision with which these dogs perform. I posted the photo below because, after having five other people look at it, neither of us can figure out the medical mystery taking place with this dog’s front paws. I just don’t get it. Wait..yeah, no. I still don’t get it. ???
Another section of awesome-ness were the weight-pulling demos. If Retrievers and Belgian Malinois can fly and Border Collies can relay FlyBall beyond the speed of sound, then it’s left to the Pit Bulls to haul their way to the weight-pulling circle of champions. And they LOVE it! If anyone has ever tried to walk an un-leash-trained Pit Bull, you know this is their cup of tea. They wear a supportive harness and are guided to pull cinder blocks (loaded on a dolly-type platform) to their hearts content. Each success at the end of the track leads to more weight being added, increasing the challenge and the huge smiles on those bully faces when that challenge is met.
These demos also allowed anyone to participate, which was so cool! Our friend Rainy below signed up for a go and impressed us all. Guided by her Dad, Eric, she took to her first pull like a natural. Go Rainy! We couldn’t be more proud. 
This is what was so great about this weekend event. Not only could you bring your dog and watch other dogs perform amazing feats but you could also let your dog give it a try. Doglympics USA was designed to encourage people and their pets to come out, socialize and introduce activities that you and your dogs can share together. Because, what was it that some expert said one time? Oh yeah, “An exercised dog is well-behaved dog who doesn’t chew up your shoes, yay!” Yeah, I think that was it.
Thank you, Teena and University of Doglando, for inviting us to this amazingly entertaining and super-social event that we think every dog-lover should attend. We had a blast!
She loves chasing the ball because that’s where the fun lies. If you raise your arm, she immediately bolts in the direction it looks like you’re about to throw. When the ball makes landing, she is already there…waiting for you to come fetch it from her. 
