Riverside Woofstock puts flyball dogs to the test

NEWCASTLE – There was no pause in their paws as the Flyball Maineiacs demonstrated the popular dog sport at the annual Woofstock celebration here Saturday.

In flyball – and there is an American Flyball Association with rules and regulations – dogs jump hurdles, grab a ball from a spring-loaded box with their mouths, and run a return route over the hurdles. It takes a matter of seconds to complete the course, and once the dogs get the hang of it they take to the challenge enthusiastically.

“Once dogs get exposed to it, they really love it. And, if humans love their dogs, they get dragged right along,” said team member Lisa Lane. “They get so focused on the task that they won’t run off the track.”

Billed as “one day of wag, drool and love,” Woofstock drew more than 1,000 people and scores of dogs to Lincoln Home park on the banks of the Damariscotta River. The event was sponsored by the Damariscotta-Newcastle Rotary Club and Animal House, a holistic food and supply store for dogs and cats, and has grown in popularity over the last few years, according to Aubrey Martin of the Animal House.

The celebration featured pet-related seminars, demonstrations of agility, a Family Fun Dog Show, with categories such as best kisser, dog with best paw shake, dog who sits the longest, and dog with the waggiest tail.

There also were a Parade of Breeds, pet-related vendors, activities and games. A photographer was on hand to take pictures of family dogs, and one shelter was fitting dogs with microchips that contain pertinent information in case they become lost. Others provided grooming, toothbrushing and nail-clipping.

All proceeds and donations from the event will be distributed to the 11 animal shelters in the region and Rotary charities.

Representatives from all the shelters, some breed specific, were on hand to show off their dogs and provide information.

“It’s strictly for rescue, but it’s also a lot of fun,” Martin said. “It gives the dogs an opportunity to be seen, promoted, pampered and do some fundraising for themselves.”

Despite the presence of more than 100 dogs of varying size and breed, uncontrolled barking was infrequent and there were no dogfights. Most of the dogs seemed to simply enjoy smelling and sniffing each other and hanging around with dog-loving humans.

“For the most part, people who bring dogs here know that they have to be well-behaved,” Martin said.

For photographer Ronn Orenstein of Orenstein Studios in Damariscotta, working with animals is something he has done for years. Formerly the director of photography for Hartz Mountain pet supply company, Orenstein has worked with dogs, birds, fish, ferrets and iguanas besides dogs and cats for nearly 20 years.

“None of them are easier than the other,” he said of his subjects. “I just look for that one moment. They all take patience and they all take work.”

Summer residents of Boothbay, Ron and Wanda Hass of Stuart, Fla., showed that patience as Orenstein worked with their petit basset griffon, a breed from the north of France, named Mikey. For his part, Mikey seemed more interested in the odors on the ground around him than gazing into the camera’s lens. With practiced coaxing, as well as a few treats, Orenstein managed to get Mikey to pose, and the Hasses walked away happy.

“This is a great time,” said Ron Hass. “We love coming here.”

Emily McElroy, 8, of Pleasanton, Calif., was enthralled as she petted dog after dog and kept her eyes glued to the events. McElroy said she loved dogs, but that unfortunately “my parents won’t let me and my sister have one. I love dogs, but I have two kitties.”

Flyball is relatively new to Maine with only two organized groups in place. The Flyball Maineiacs were formed by the late Monica Roberts, who picked up the sport in Minnesota and brought it with her when she moved to Bar Harbor a few years ago.

“She made it her mission to recruit as members people that would be willing to commit themselves and their dogs to the team,” Lane said.

Team members are from all over central and eastern Maine and manage to get together for practices every weekend. All different breeds and all different size dogs participate. The group has given a number of public exhibitions, although Saturday’s was the first they held outdoors. The dogs and their handlers had no problem entertaining the crowd.

The Flyball Maineiacs will unveil their latest Flyball Maineia show at the Boothbay Harbor YMCA the weekend of Nov. 8-9.

wgriffin@bangordailynews.net

338-9546