Bet Your Cat Can't Do This

On Saturday afternoon, we mosied on down to Dubuque to take in the 25-foot American Gothic exhibit at the Dubuque Museum of Art. I never realized that the painter Grant Wood was from Iowa. The museum was closed by the time we got there, but we are definitely going to have to go back and check it out sometime.

Did you know that this couple is supposed to be a farmer and his daughter? I always thought they were a married couple. You learn something new every day!

Now on to the main Key City attraction for us: the national Dock Dogs competition going on at the Port of Dubuque. Dogs and their owners from all over the country were on hand to compete in Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve. We got to see part of the Big Air contest!
] This poor guy and his pooch came all the way from Georgia, but the dog wasn't having any of it that day. I was impressed with how everyone encouraged their competitors, even those who didn't make the jumps like this little lady. Her owner was so gracious and kind to her, even after two separate trials. (I couldn't help but think how frustrated I get with Mickey when he won't listen to me at home, not evenin front of a big audience!)

There were dogs of every breed, including some mixed. This German Shepherd was just one of several who so smartly listened to its owner and didn't jump until ordered to do so.

And now for the jump...

...and the splash!!

Of course all the kids had to get up close to get wet :)

Mark and I kept saying, "Too bad they didn't have this for dogs like Mickey!" But then we found out that they did INDEED have a lap dog competition. And there she was, a cute little Jack Russell terrier. Mickey would have fallen in love with Miss Molly!

Much to Wynne's delight, Miss Molly jumped 12 feet! She is #7 in the nation for Big Air Lap Dogs with a personal best of 13 feet, .6 inches. Alas, she lives in Kansas City, so I don't think we can make the long distance relationship work, Mick.

This little guy was hilarious (along with his owner). He's a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and get this--his name is Bubbles! The owner would hold Bubbles, throw in the ball/frisbee/rope/whatever, back him up and keep his eyes on the prize the whole way, ask him "Are you ready??" a couple of times to get him fired up, then let him go. Kind of like the release bar on a pinball machine!

And off he'd go! Don't mess with Bubbles. He's from Arcadia, California and he is #5 in the nation with a personal best of 14 feet, 3.2 inches!!
The dogs look so darn cute swimming in the water. They were all excellent swimmers, and I'd be interested to see how they did on Speed Retrieve.

Here's #9 in the nation, a Boston Terrier named Wilbur.

And #2 all the way from Niagra Falls....say hello to Rhythm! She can jump 17 feet 8 inches on a great day. I think we saw about 12 1/2 feet out of her on Saturday.

Not all of the competition were pure breds. Not to be outdone, here is a mixed breed out of Kansas City. I just couldn't get over his name. Go get 'em, Mr. Bingley!!

Now can your cat do this?