WANTED: Boatyard Dogs - Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show

As the zany and light-hearted 11th Annual World Championship Boatyard Dog® Trials approach, Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show organizers have some serious questions for the canine community: Does your tail wag faster when you dream of the roar of the crowd? Does the breeze off the bay entice you to strut your stuff? In short, are you dog enough to compete in the World Championship Boatyard Dog Trials? If the answers are yes, then please cast your paw into the ring for a chance to stand up, sit down, and roll over before an adoring crowd. A few choice slots are available for prospective contenders in the trials, which are to be held Sunday morning, August 11 as part of the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show. Any well-behaved dog is eligible, but preference will be given to dogs that work in a boatyard, crew on a boat, or direct operations of any kind on the waterfront (or think they do). Special points go to dogs that love to swim! Competing dogs (and their people) will be held to uncompromising standards that focus on each dog’s combination of style and pizzazz (or lack thereof). The trials consist of three events: *the “Dockside Obstacle Course,” in which dog and handler negotiate a maze of lobster traps, piles of rope, and other funky dockside paraphernalia; *the “Dinghy Hop,” in which dog and handler scramble in and out of a very tippy dinghy that’s tethered to a float; and *a “Freestyle” segment, during which each dog (and their person) shows off his or her special talents…. There is a time limit of eight minutes per entrant for their entire performance. There are but three simple rules:
 Rule #1: Either dog or handler must finish contest completely soaked.
 Rule #2: Cheating is not only tolerated but encouraged.
 Rule #3: The freestyle event will have a twist to it—the organizers are getting creative and will report back on the details. Any dog that’s crazy enough is encouraged to have his or her “person” submit a letter of interest, a flattering high-resolution image, and daytime contact information. Extra points will be given for humor; this is not a serious competition. Send by June 15, 2013, to byd@maineboats.com. Finalists will be notified by July 1. For liability reasons, no other pets will be allowed on show grounds, except the field of predetermined trials competitors on Sunday only. Please plan accordingly. Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors is pleased to acknowledge the generous support from Custom Float Services, lead sponsor of the Boatyard Dog Trials.