Seacoast Dock Dogs *First* Regional Event

We decided to drive up to Augusta, ME on Saturday (8/21). We hit a ton of traffic the entire way up and the entire way home. It sucked! It made a 4 hour drive an (at least) 6 hour drive- ridiculous! My brother, Joe, came with my husband, Apollo, and I.

We finally made it to the motel (Motel 6- it's pet friendly). It was clean, thankfully. Most, if not all, of the competitors who traveled up to Union, ME stayed there. Lots of dogs and people!

We checked in then went out for lunch. We ate at Amato's and I'm so happy we did. I got a small cheese pizza (I'm a pizza aficionado, haha), my husband got a sausage parm sub, and my brother got a chicken finger sub with lettuce, mayo, and tomato. Everything was delicious!!

After lunch we decided to drive up to Union, ME to check out the dockdogs (we weren't jumping until Sunday). We got the shaft and had to pay to get into the fair even though we were just checking out our club- urgh, $20 down the drain. We watched some of the dogs jump, then left after 15 minutes (if that). What a waste.

Sunday, 5am, came VERY early. We washed up and loaded the truck. We made a quick pit stop at a Tim Horton's. I got an iced coffee (which was horrible, tasted like burnt, watered down coffee) and 10 honey dipped "Timbits" (aka: munchkins). I missed my MaryLou's ( it's a South Shore thing). Jeremy got a breakfast sandwich with sausage, egg, and cheese and that was actually very good...so I had a few bites. We finally got to Union, ME (still half asleep). I checked in and got Apollo on the dock to practice.

9am came and Apollo had 2 weak jumps, only about 12' or so. He was still sleepy, and so wasn't I- I threw his toy very late. The weather didn't help; it was cool, rainy, and overcast.

As the afternoon got going more and more people started to show up. After getting a coffee in me I finally woke up. Apollo had 2 more jumps and he did awesome. The first one was 16' (his new personal best!) and the second was 15'8". I was (am) such a proud  dog-mom!! Unfortunately, it wasn't good enough to earn a place rosette. Oh well! Next time!

All in all, we had a good weekend. We met some very nice people. The Seacoast Dockdogs put on an fun event. Over 130 dogs jumped that weekend!! They worked so hard to get this event up and running and it was a success!!

Hogan Leather Combination Collar

I ordered Apollo a new collar. It was time. All his nylon collars were starting to look really beat up and smell awful (even after washed).

I ordered him the 3/4" Combination Rolled Leather Collar in brown from Hogan Leather. I initially wanted tan leather, but they were out and I didn't want to wait (yeah, I'm that impatient), and, Paula Hogan pointed out that a dog that swims with tan leather on the leather would just turn brown. When the collar came it was the wrong collar and too big (because I measured wrong). I sent that collar back and emailed Paula to let her know the size I need (which is 20"). 2 days later his collar arrived and.....I love it!

It's designed to be worn as a slip or flat buckle collar. The leather is thick and very heavy duty but already breaking in nicely. The leather is rounded, not rolled. The brass hardware is very sturdy. It's beautiful but not "cutesy", definitely very functional.

We've gotten a few compliments on it already; people really wanted to know where they can get one (as you don't often see these types of collars) and I was happy to recommend Hogan Leather.

I have no doubts this collar will last many years! 
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