Crate Running Canine Captures Cup
Sep 2006
By Holly Sherburne
2006 World Championship Boatyard Dog Trials
“One of our judges is unable to attend the contest,” said the voice on the other end of the phone Friday morning. “Would you take his place?” The caller was referring to the upcoming annual Boatyard Dog Trials, held during the Maine Boats Homes and Harbors Show in Rockland. I had to think it over only for a moment—it sounded like a hoot to me.
When I arrived Sunday morning at the public landing, I wasn’t sure what to expect, although I had heard about the event and knew it to be a real crowd pleaser. “Equal parts entertainment, silliness and good wet fun,” said an event organizer.
These are the rules that were handed to me when I arrived to judge the 2006 World Championship Boatyard Dog Trials:
* Either dog or handler must finish the contest completely soaked
* Cheating is not only tolerated, but encouraged
* There are no other rules
The three main events of the trials include a dockside obstacle course, where the dog and handler negotiate a maze of lobster traps, piles of rope and other dockside paraphernalia; a dinghy hop, where the dog and hander hop into and out of a tippy dinghy; and a freestyle event, where each dog showcases his or her own unique talent.
In the case of a tie, the contestants will return to the dock for another freestyle presentation and the winner will be determined based on crowd reaction: the applause-o-meter.
As I stood in front of the show office discussing the rules with Peter Spectre, editor of “Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors” magazine, and Carlton Johnson, a Bar Harbor business owner and the 2004 Boatyard Dog champion’s handler, I was approached by a contestant who asked if we were the judges. The affirmative response resulted in the offering of large dog biscuits and a request for high scores for his dog, a boatyard dog contender.
What’s this? I thought. Bribery? In front of everyone? It turns out that in this contest, not only is cheating tolerated, but bribery is, too. If I had known this sooner, I would have spread the word that when my dog isn’t accompanying me, chocolate is a far better bribe than a dog biscuit.
As time drew close for the trials to begin, a crowd gathered and an informal parade began to assemble. The competing dogs—some wearing hats and shirts—had contingents of supporters that were following them through the grounds down to the waterfront. The Border Collie’s groupies wore “I’m with Kylie” T-shirts and another dog, in a smart sailor’s cap, had a supporter with a flag-covered bike.
Following the parade to the waterfront, I met the other judges and we walked down the steep ramp to the docks and boarded the harbormaster’s boat. We would judge the event directly at sea level as opposed to where the crowds had gathered—40 feet above the docks, looking down into the harbor.
To qualify for the trials, the six participants submitted flattering photographs of themselves with applications describing their unique qualifications. Although all dogs may apply, preference is given to dogs that work in a boatyard or with a crew on a boat.
The first contestant was Soldado, a small blonde dog rescued three years ago from Culebra, an island in Puerto Rico, by Dr. “Captain Chaos” Bruce and Rose Woollett. Soldado showed spunk and she negotiated the required elements with ease before moving on to the freestyle event. Having competed in last year’s trials, she was prepared with a new routine this year. Her handler, Captain Chaos, stepped into a small rowboat and strung eight lobster crates in the water from the dock to his boat—Soldado would be running across the crates!
Soldado leapt onto the first crate, the crowd cheered and the announcer boomed, “In the event of a success today, Soldado will be making arrangements for a Rockland-to-Matinicus run. Soldado aspires to someday crate-run the English Channel, despite charges of steroid use and having suffered a vengeful chest butt from a jealous French poodle.”
It was impressive to see the little dog from Puerto Rico reach the boat and return to the docks—she never even got wet. As a judge, I gave this run serious thought. I couldn’t imagine a better boatyard freestyle stunt, yet there were more dogs ahead. It was time to reveal Soldado’s score. I held up a laminated sheet—a big number “9” was displayed for the crowds above to see.
The five remaining dogs offered something special of their own. Tyler the Chihuahua, the smallest and, in my opinion, the bravest of all the boatyard dogs, was also a returning contestant. Demonstrating proper safety etiquette, he donned an orange life jacket before entering the dock area.
For his freestyle routine, Tyler assisted his handler, Celia Knight, in hauling a lobster trap, complete with a lobster, out of the water. Knight showed how, because of Tyler’s size, he could be used as a gauge to determine if a lobster is legal—any lobster larger than Tyler is most definitely a keeper.
Sadie, a “black Lab, etc.” was the next contestant on stage. After nimbly navigating the obstacle course and the tippy dinghy, Sadie and her handler jumped into the water and delivered a bag of delicious Hershey miniatures directly to the judges’ boat! Apparently, someone had gotten wind of my predilection for chocolate. High scores for Sadie.
I began to wonder if the next dog also knew of my weakness for sweets. Her name was Truffles Brandy Godiva—a Chocolate Lab, of course. Remaining true to her breed, Truffles loved the water and she earned high marks for her enthusiasm and persistence. One flying leap into the water and three tennis balls later, Truffles dunked and bobbed, refusing to return to the dock until she had all three balls secured in her mouth at the same time. I thought Truffles deserved extra points for perseverance and she showed potential for lifeguard duty.
In her biography, Kylie the Border Collie bragged that “usual dog games are way too simple for an intelligent being like me!” She may be right. After the required elements, Kylie caught stuffed red lobsters in her mouth, jumped through a hoop and deposited them into a large cooking pot. And that’s not all. Kylie’s handler offered the judges T-shirts with Kylie’s photo on them.
I was beginning to think that this was a job I could get used to.
Zeke the yellow Lab was the last, but not least, contestant in the 2006 Boatyard Dog Trials. Flipping through the papers on my clipboard, I noted that Zeke’s resume shows his day job to be that of assistant waterfront director at a summer youth camp. Zeke demonstrates his qualifications for the job as he jumps out of a canoe and “rescues” a floating toy. But, nowhere did it mention that he could bake a mean blueberry pie. Ymmm. Perhaps the best bribe we had received yet.
Floating in the harbor, we tallied the dogs’ scores, while the crowd and contestants anxiously awaited the results—a tie between Soldado the Culebrense and Kylie the Border Collie. The crowd would determine the contest winner and, I must admit, this was a big relief, because the other judges mentioned past instances when judges were booed for their decision. Rating the performances of six different dogs is one thing, but choosing between two favorites is dangerous territory.
Kylie and Soldado returned to the dock for repeat performances of their freelance routines. Soldado made another clean run of the lobster crates and Kylie caught and cooked three more lobsters. The decision was now—literally—in the hands of the crowd. The announcer called out the name of each dog and the applause-o-meter rose. This year’s World Champion Boatyard Dog is…
Soldado!
I spotted Soldado later in the day. “World champion” seemed to suit her well. She was in a tent surrounded by fans and receiving a complimentary massage reflexology treatment. Having achieved the “star status” she always dreamed about, she spent the rest of the day receiving VIP treatment as she explored the Maine Boats Homes and Harbors show.
It really is a dog’s life.