SCARBOROUGH – Friday may have failed to complete his trick, but he still managed to win third place for trying to pick up a credit card with his teeth from a wooden floor.
The 19-month-old golden retriever, who is training to be a service dog, was one of a half-dozen dogs to perform their tricks at Woofminster 2012, the seventh annual Planet Dog Foundation amateur dog show.
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Even though Friday flubbed on stage, tugging playfully on his leash with his mouth at one point, he is a good dog, said his owner, Suzan Morris of Old Orchard Beach. Morris said Friday has no problem picking up a credit card from a rug. Morris, who has multiple sclerosis, said Friday is still in training.
“So you can imagine how useful Friday will be someday,” said Jon Morris, Suzan’s husband.
Despite the drizzle and temperatures in the 50s, it was a dog day afternoon at Camp Ketcha on Saturday. More than 50 people and their pooches from across New England showed up to compete in the show, where wagging backsides, enthusiastic barks and the odor of damp dog predominated.
The foundation, which provides grants to train, place and support service dogs, has raised about $875,000 for its cause in the past seven years. The foundation is an offshoot of Planet Dog, a Westbrook company that designs and develops dog products and operates a store in Portland.
The event allowed proud owners a chance to strut their mutts, win a prize and raise money for the foundation.
Competition categories included best mystery mutt, best trick, best beggar and happiest dog. There was a scavenger hunt and other events, such as bobbing for Orbees — Planet Dog’s signature dog ball — and a dog limbo contest.
“I saw it in the paper and said, ‘Why not give it a shot,'” said Carole Frenette of South Portland, whose dog, Clyde, a Great Dane-Anatolian shepherd mix, competed in the best mystery mutt competition.
Ashley Smith of Scarborough showed up with her 5-month-old Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, Camden, and her miniature pinscher, Quinn, 2, to show her support for the Planet Dog Foundation.
“They are best friends, but the little one is the boss,” said Smith.
Liz and Paul Moreau, formerly cat people, said they fell in love with dogs after adopting Tess, 3, from the Animal Welfare Society a year ago.
At first their cat gave Tess a cool reception but now is equally smitten.
“It’s the best thing we have ever done,” said Liz Moreau.
Helen McAlpin of Falmouth brought her dog, Tommie, 2, an Australian shepherd, for the second year in a row, after winning the beauty category last year.
“This year we are just playing,” said McAlpin.
Mark Zweigoron of South Portland brought his Australian cattle dog, Damita, 6.
“We are just out to have fun for an afternoon,” said Zweigoron.
Staff Writer Beth Quimby can be contacted at 791-6363 or at:
bquimby@pressherald.com
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