Dock Diving 101

BUFORD - Over 100 dogs with their owners showed up Saturday near Buford on Lake Lanier for "Dock Diving 101", to prepare their pets for diving at the Hall Animal Shelter's Lake Lanier Pet Fest set for next month at Laurel Park.

Dogs new to the sport of 'dock diving' got the chance to see if they would like it. Emilie Cook from Gainesville said her Labrador retriever "Ella" did just fine her first time out.

"I'm so proud of her," Cook said. "Now she wants to do it again, and again, and again, it was exciting."

Nancy Akin with Dixie Dock Dogs says dock diving is the featured event at the animal shelter fund raiser set for September 24th through the 26th; it's fun for the dogs and the owners.

"When you see your dog get up on that dock, get all excited, and just love jumping off, there's nothing like it," Akin said.

Akin said she and other dog lovers formed Dixie Dock Dogs, a local chapter of the non-profit and national Dock Dogs, Inc. four years ago. Pet Fest organizers hope the event will heighten awareness of responsible pet owner practices and the adoption of shelter animals with all proceeds to benefit the Animal Shelter.

During the Dixie Dock Dogs dock diving competition at Pet Fest, dogs will jump for distance, height, or speed from a dock into Lake Lanier; anyone is welcome to enter a dog that is at least six months old and current on all shots.

Pet owners attending Dock Diving 101 were invited to register for Pet Fest.