I received such an amazing gift and tribute to Rita from a friend – a necklace – made from the photo of the Stronger than Cancer 5K we did together in 2020.
I took the arrival of this unique and special gift as a sign that I need to get back to doing things I did with Rita – things that I have stopped doing altogether due to the pain I have been experiencing with Sweet Reet’s absence. Rita I did 5k’s together- that was our “thing.” We had so many great adventures while logging many miles to benefit less fortunate dogs. A few months before she passed our vet told me Rita had to retire from 5K’s. I bought Rita a stroller so that I could still do 5k’s with her, and I registered for the Flex it Pink “Run for the Rescues” 5k that benefited the Have a Heart Humane Society. Although Rita got to take a “maiden voyage” in her stroller, we never got to do the 5k before she gained her angel wings.
I haven’t walked hardly at all since Margarita crossed the rainbow bridge…but today I put on the necklace and got the courage to get back out and walk.
I took Lager with me – we completed the 5k – and although I cried often- I smiled a lot as well.
I stopped to let Lager cool off in the lake … and took a photo…if you look closely there’s a double rainbow going across Lager and orbs on the lake directly in front of him… I’m taking that as a sign Rita was right there with us on that 5k.
Although Lager has been on a couple of hikes in the past, this was his first official 5K.
Such an emotional weekend with so SO much to be thankful for. Although many tears were shed as we spent the weekend at the same facility that we competed at when we lost our Sweet Reet, we shared just as many if not more laughs and celebrations with our dock dogs family. This community is truly amazing. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with everyone. Congratulations and great job to all competitors who participated throughout this weekend… and a HUGE thank you to Christine at Canine Superheroes as well as dockdogs staff Linda, Sean, and Joe for a safe, fun, and well-run event …we very much appreciate all of your hard work!
Limoncello
Cello looked pretty as usual as she paddled through the air and jumped exceptionally well despite limited dock time (doctor’s orders due to her decline in heart health and some arthritis).
Big Air:
14’7″
15’4″
Hooch
Hooch has steadily been jumping in the 21-22 feet range for quite some time now, but busted out a 23’8” jump this weekend, and earned several 1st place medals for his Big Air jumps.
Big Air:
23’8″ 2nd Place Master Division
22’11” 1st PlaceMaster Division
22’3″ 1st PlaceMaster Division
22’2″ 2nd Place Master Division
22’7″ 1st PlaceMaster Division
Speet Retrieve:
7.795 seconds
6.997 seconds
Lager
Lager did well in Big Air and took first place in Speed Retrieve Round 1 (Turbo Division). He also thoroughly enjoyed competing in Dueling Dogs.
Big Air:
18’1″
18’10”
18’5″
Speed Retrieve:
7.054 seconds 1st Place Turbo Division
Lager competing in Dueling Dogs (Lager is on the right)
Whiskey
Wish the Fish took 59.999 seconds out of the allotted 60 seconds…but jumped 4 out of the 6 times she was on the dock, and of course entertained the crowd with her dock antics (multiple times she decided zoomies on the dock was much more fun than jumping in the pool)!
Big Air:
7’6″
6’7″ 1st Place Novice Division
6’9″ 2nd Place Novice Division
7’5″ 1st Place Novice Division
Porter
PoPo was thrilled to play with a puppy and 2 adorable children two days in a row and did a great job of glomming attention and pets from everyone he could. He even took a nap with Justin from team Malinois Mania DockDiving! As a token of his gratitude, he left each visitor with enough Po hair on clothing to make their own take-home mini Porter souvenir.
Jägermeister
Jäger did well in competition, and took first place in Speed Retrieve Round 2 (Turbo Division). He quickly made himself well-known with the crowd as he decided that he enjoyed staying IN the pool was way more fun than getting out.
Big Air:
18’9″ 3rd Place Senior Division
20’7″
19’5″ 2nd Place Senior Division
Speed Retrieve:
7.823 seconds
7.002 1st Place Turbo Division
Extreme Vertical:
4’6″
Iron Dog:
2739.21 points 5th Place Warrior Division
Martini
Tini did WONDERFULLY- she was confident in her crate under our team canopy, welcomed visitors sitting outside of her crate, and also accepted treats from new people. Special thanks to the kind, amazing (and very patient) people who sat on the ground next to her crate and helped our Tini Beanie tremendously.
Liver Killer Bling
Remembering Reet
The number of people Margarita touched in her short time with us continues to amaze us. Rita’s passing was a devastating loss and the tributes to her as well as the support we continue to receive is beyond appreciated and will never be forgotten. Thank you to all of you at Canine Superheroes this weekend.
Team Malinois Mania had a special collar made for their pup, Scout to wear in honor of Sweet Reet!
All competitors at the event tossed a lei in the competition pool in honor of Margarita as the song “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John played over the event speakers.
