OCEANSIDE — Vhoebe is a 5-year-old, 58-pound Belgian Malinois who lives to leap.
So as she sat on command one recent morning, she was like a compressed spring. Every muscle quivered as she waited … and waited … and waited.
When Lise Ann Strum finally shouted, “Go!” Vhoebe burst down the 42-foot-long pool dock, rocketed into the air and intercepted a toy tossed by Strum before splashing down from a near-30-foot flight.
Lise Ann Strum throws a toy to her Belgian Malinois, Vhoebe, who is a champion dock-diving dog. — John Gastaldo
After swimming back with her treasure, Vhoebe (pronounced Vee-Bee) ran to the back of the dock, eager to do it again.
“It’s about the toy for her,” says Strum. “She likes the water, but it’s really about the toy. She’ll do anything for a toy.”
When Strum brought Vhoebe for some practice jumps at the Beach City Dogs training pool at the Oceanside Equestrian Center, the excited pup just about dragged her owner to the pool. And, says Strum, she’s been that way since her first jump in 2009. It was love at first splash.
Since then, Vhoebe has become a canine Carl Lewis in the sport of dog diving.
She’s set five world records, including the current mark of 32 feet, 3 inches she leapt last year to win her second straight national championship, and she’s been mentioned in Sports Illustrated and featured on ESPN’s Top 10 plays of the day on “SportsCenter.”
Lise Ann Strum and Vhoebe will be competing for Vhoebe's third straight title at the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge National Finals in St. Louis this weekend. — John Gastaldo
Now Strum believes Vhoebe has a good shot at a third straight title at the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge National Finals in St. Louis Saturday, Oct. 5. Strum says Vhoebe has been jumping consistently better this year.
If she wins again, she’ll get her special championship treat, a steak grilled up by Strum’s husband, Scott.
“They’ll eat it together,” says Strum, laughing.
But to Strum, Vhoebe means much more than a room full of trophies.
Strum has had Belgian Malinois dogs for 14 years, and currently has five others, too.
Several years ago, Strum got a call from a friend who was looking to pair a very energetic and problematic dog (Vhoebe) with an understanding owner. The young dog had been with another family, but was “too much dog for them, very busy and kind of naughty,” says Strum.
So Strum took her in, fell in love with her and has enjoyed honing her athletic talents through jumping drills (sometimes with a weighted vest), pool practice and lots of exercise. The hardest part, she says, has been learning to throw the toy (called a bumper) accurately so Vhoebe has a target.
“My throw is an evolving thing,” she says, smiling. “I’ve hit people by the pool. I’ve thrown it straight into the air and had it come down on me.”
Though Vhoebe is nervous, not very obedient and prone to mischief — “If I can’t find her, she’s probably in trouble,” Strum says — Strum felt an immediate connection to her that’s only grown as they’ve traveled across the country competing and meeting people. Strum and Vhoebe also became part of Team 21, doing dog-jumping events for the charitable organization that supports programs that help children with Down syndrome.
via www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/oct/04/dock-jump-champion-dog/
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