The lives and adventures of Joey, Pebbles, Benji, Bruiser and Jax.
Bruiser was invited to the Ultimate Air Games national competition at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Missouri. He qualified to compete in both the Novice division and the Featherweight division. Bruiser & Pebbles made the 24 hour drive half way across the country to give it their all!
All packed up and ready to hit the road with our friends, Molly Marie & Edison. Purina Farms, Gray Summit, Missouri here we come!
We’ve made it through Arizona! Had to pause and watch the sunset…always a beautiful sight, even when you’re watching it from a gas station.
It is cold and rainy out there…this is the best you’re going to get from us! We just crossed over into Missouri. We’re on the home stretch! See you soon Ultimate Air Games.
We survived 22 1/2 hours in the car, crossed five states, experienced temps from the 90s to the 40s, but the most important part…we made it to PurinaFarms, safe and sound! Now we’re off to rest. We all have a big day of jumping and cheering ahead of us tomorrow!
Oh my gosh, we slept awesome! All of us fell into deep slumber and didn’t wake until the alarms went off this morning. As you can see, the princess has had breakfast and a potty break and thinks going back to bed should be the schedule for the day.
We are definitely not in the desert! Grey, cloudy, with a nip in the air. Going to be an eventful day! Dock Diving here we come?!?!
Who said what?!? “Umm, that water looks really cold, are you sure I should jump in it?” “Don’t even think about pushing me in the water! My wrath…”
You want me to do what? Butttttt, just standing here I’m cold!
Bruiser’s very first (practice) jump into the pool was beautiful…nice and straight, full of power!
Our hope and goal for this trip was that Bruiser would jump all on his own. We did not care how far he jumped, just that he jumped…and guess what?!? He did it!! He scored an amazing 3 feet 8 inches and we couldn’t be more proud of the little guy! Bruiser is definitely the smallest guy here…the pressure of hundreds of dogs, tons of spectators, chaos and noise, way colder temperatures and water that you wouldn’t catch me sticking a toe in…and he jumped!! He’s a winner in our book!
Our hope and goal for this trip was that Bruiser would jump all on his own. We did not care how far he jumped, just that he jumped…and guess what?!? He did it!! He scored an amazing 3 feet 8 inches and we couldn’t be more proud of the little guy! Bruiser is definitely the smallest guy here…the pressure of hundreds of dogs, tons of spectators, chaos and noise, way colder temperatures and water that you wouldn’t catch me sticking a toe in…and he jumped!! He’s a winner in our book!
Every jump, after the first one, was aimed straight at the exit ramp. He jumped, but he wanted out of that cold water as quickly as possible…usually leaving his ball behind in the process!
Cold water and short jumps don’t stop SuperB from strutting his stuff on the catwalk!
And, we have to end the day with this image!! If only they gave points for style, Bruiser would take the ultimate prize!!
Ah yeah, we’re just two little munchkins hanging out at the big Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Missouri!
The sun may be shining, but it’s still plenty chilly! Bruiser is spending the morning warming up on a heating pad. And, yes he hogged the entire thing for himself! But, don’t feel bad for Pebbles. What you can’t see is a portable heater sitting right on the other side of Pebs, she’s plenty warm!
Guess who came to watch me jump today? My Aunt Lori & Uncle Sam…I was so excited to see them that I almost used up all my energy greeting them and had to dip in to the reserves to find the energy to jump.
I jumped without my wetsuit today to see if that would make a difference. Even with that test, we still don’t know what the right option is. I had two longer jumps and two shorter jumps. But, I sure look cute jumping when I’m all fluffy!
Pebbles & Aunt Lori felt quite confident that the judges were off when they scored Bruiser’s jump. This would have been a much more accurate score! And yes, Pebbles takes her brother’s scores very serious!
If you were wondering whether the water was still cold or not, this should answer your question! Out of the way!! Where’s the exit?!? Ball, what ball?!?
If you were wondering whether the water was still cold or not, this should answer your question! Out of the way!! Where’s the exit?!? Ball, what ball?!?
Pebbles is so proud of her little brother! She knows the only reason he jumps so well is because she’s here cheering him on! Nothing like having your best friend by your side!
Bruiser competed twice today, once in the Novice division and once in the Featherweight division. Guess what?!? He qualified for both Finals!! (Just barely, but who cares!) We are so proud of the little man! This means he gets to jump Saturday and Sunday!! What a huge weekend for Super B! It’s the perfect way to end his jumping season!
I just love these two to pieces! They already had an amazing relationship, but bringing them both to all these dock diving events has strengthened and solidified their bond.
Today was a much warmer day! Can’t say that it did anything for the temperature of the water, but by the time Bruiser was scheduled to jump, he was warm enough that the cold water didn’t faze him!
He even retrieved his ball today!! Must have been feeling really confident!
Today was the Featherweight Finals, and Bruiser jumped his longest jump of the weekend! 5 Feet! He didn’t even need the ball, he was just ready to jump! (I apologize in advance for the motion sickness video…I get too excited and the camera goes all over the place!)
Today was the Featherweight Finals, and Bruiser jumped his longest jump of the weekend! 5 Feet! He didn’t even need the ball, he was just ready to jump! (I apologize in advance for the motion sickness video…I get too excited and the camera goes all over the place!)
And, just because he’s so freaking cute, here’s the slow mo version of the same jump!!
And, just because he’s so freaking cute, here’s the slow mo version of the same jump!!
Daddy & Bruiser earned their first trophy today, with a 10th Place win in the Featherweight Finals.
Super B is down and out! Pawtographs will have to wait.
One happy, content, little man! Peace out, people!
Our final day here at Purina Farms for the Ultimate Air Games Dock Diving Nationals! We’re reflecting on what an amazing experience this has been. Huge hugs and kisses to all who have cheered us on, smothered us in kisses and supported us here and along the way! We love you all!
Wow, that’s one big poodle! I bet he could get a really big dock diving score!
Pebbles & Bruiser’s teacher, Beth, are confident that Bruiser can do this!! Big sloppy kisses to everyone who stood on the sidelines and cheered Bruiser on! Your enthusiasm and support encouraged him to jump!
This morning’s Novice Finals were at 9 AM! So, while it was a nice day, the sun hadn’t made it far enough into the sky to warm up Bruiser or the pool. We skipped the practice jumps and just went straight into the competition. His first jump looked just like yesterday’s…I don’t need no ball…I’m just going to jump!
This morning’s Novice Finals were at 9 AM! So, while it was a nice day, the sun hadn’t made it far enough into the sky to warm up Bruiser or the pool. We skipped the practice jumps and just went straight into the competition. His first jump looked just like yesterday’s…I don’t need no ball…I’m just going to jump!
His second jump was a little more, “I’m doing this to get it over with!” He was up, off and out (without his ball) before you could even blink! (His teacher, Beth, had a personal best with her pup, Gator. When you get a personal best…you also go into the pool! She concurred with Bruiser, the water is freaking cold!! It was like doing a polar bear plunge!)
Bruiser earned another trophy in the Novice division, this time in 11th Place! Considering the Novice division included a Yellow Lab, a Border Collie and even a German Shepherd, we are very content with our result!!
It was a very successful weekend for Team Bruiser! Bruiser successfully completed five sets of jumps, and earned two trophies! Pebbles and her feather put a smile on everyone’s face, was there for Bruiser anytime he needed his best friend, and smiled and cheered for Bruiser from the sidelines! Daddy energized Bruiser between jumps, got him pumped up for the big jumps, threw the ball correctly, and was there for the post jump towel wrap! And, Mommy, she captured every single moment for prosperity, rescued Bruiser when he tried to exit the pool on the opposite side of the ramp, gave snuggles and kisses for a job well done, kept the athlete fed, and even let him hog the motel bed!
And now, the celebrity is going to relax as only a celebrity can!
Goodbye Purina Farms and Ultimate Air Games!! It was a blast…maybe we’ll see you next year! (It may take us that long to recover!)
