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07/08/2006
Dogs get some air, try to set markSpecial to the Record-Eagle TRAVERSE CITY — The world may never know how many dogs it takes to screw in a light bulb. But now it knows it takes 25 feet and 7 inches for a dog to set a new Traverse City dock-jumping record. The new record-holder is Mossberg, a 16-month-old Black Lab/English Pointer who made the leap into history at Friday's Ultimate Air Dogs competition. Between 45 and 50 dogs, including Mossberg, and their owners lined up for competition on the Holiday Inn beach area near downtown Traverse City. Participants from all over the U.S., including Chicago, New York and Iowa, attended the competition. Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Milt Wilcox is the founder and president of Ultimate Air Dock Dogs and he narrated the two-hour event, accompanied by his own dock-diving dog, Sparky, who retrieved toys for dogs who refused to take the plunge. Each dog was coaxed into the water by their owner who encouraged them to retrieve a floating toy. It was Bancroft-based Mossberg who awed the audience with his amazing jumping abilities. Mossberg's owner, Matt Mapes, believes praising his dog is a big part of Mossberg's success. Mapes gave his dog continuous encouragement throughout the event, especially after he successfully retrieved the toy from the water. "When he comes up out of the water, that's the first thing I want him to hear," said Mapes of his encouragement. "It's very important to him." This event is the fourth outdoor competition in which Mossberg has competed, and Mapes hoped find someone to sponsor Mossberg to help cover expenses in future competitions. The final rounds of jumping are today from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn West Bay.
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