Sometimes the best adventures start with something completely unexpected. For Kerri Brocker, it started with a dog, a duck and a dock at Blessings Park.  Kerri has a 2½-year-old Lab named Layla, who loves nothing more than going to the lake. Last summer, Layla discovered that jumping off the dock was even more fun than swimming.

 

Kerri started throwing Layla's favorite toy—a duck that, for reasons known only to Layla, is the one and only toy she will actually dive for.  At first, Kerri threw the duck a short distance. Then a little farther. Then farther still. And eventually Kerri started wondering, “I wonder if Layla could actually do one of those dog-jumping competitions you see on TV?”

 

The thought stayed in the back of her mind.  Until one day, a Facebook post changed everything. On the west side of Lake Quivira, Kerri's neighbor Michelle Thompson had been training her 3½-year-old Whippet, Henna, for about a year. Michelle had already taken Henna to three diving competitions. After the third competition, Michelle posted some pictures and the results on Facebook.

 

Kerri saw the post. Her response was immediate: “I want to do this with my dog!”  And that's how the adventure began.

 

The two neighbors met for lunch, where Michelle patiently explained the world of NADD—North America Diving Dogs. They talked about the rules, divisions, strategy, how the “splashes” worked and what Kerri could expect at a competition.  Kerri quickly realized there was a lot more to dog diving than simply throwing a duck and hoping your dog jumped.  Luckily, she had Michelle. 

 

When they discovered there was a competition in Topeka on August 22nd, they decided to give it a try.  On the morning of the competition, Kerri and Michelle loaded up their cars with everything they could possibly need—kennels, treats, toys, the special duck and, of course, their dogs. They met in Topeka, and Michelle became Kerri's official guide through the whole process. She helped her get signed up, explained the splashes and made sure Kerri knew what she was doing.

 

Then came the moment of truth.  Henna went first.  And Michelle's training paid off.  Henna launched off the dock and jumped an amazing 14 feet, 9 inches, earning 1st place in her division.

 

Then it was Layla's turn.  Kerri sent the duck flying.  Layla took off.  13 feet, 3 inches!  She didn't win her division.  But she also wasn't last—which, considering Layla's primary training facility was Blessings Park and her only real piece of equipment was a duck, Kerri considered a pretty successful first outing.  For Kerri, though, the best part wasn't the 13-foot jump.  It was the experience.

 

Kerri says she never would have tried this on her own. Without Michelle sharing her experience, answering questions and walking her through that first competition, there is a very good chance Layla would still be happily jumping off the Blessings Park dock with her duck—and Kerri would still be wondering what might happen if she ever entered a competition.

 

And perhaps this was Layla's opportunity to finally step out of the shadows.  After all, Kerri's other daughters are high-level athletes, so Layla has had a pretty tough act to follow.  She may not have a college recruiting profile.  She may not have a coach.  She may not have a training schedule.  But she does have a 13-foot-3-inch jump and a duck.  That's something.

 

Michelle and Henna will likely continue their competitive diving adventures and chase even bigger jumps. As for Kerri and Layla, they may or may not be back for another competition.  Layla might decide that competitive athletics aren't really her thing and return to her favorite training facility—Blessings Park.

 

Regardless of whether Layla ever competes again, something pretty special came from that first event. Two neighbors met for lunch, one shared an adventure, and the other decided to jump right in. That's the kind of thing that happens at Lake Quivira. Because sometimes the best part of living here isn't the lake itself.

It's the people on the other side of it who introduce you to something you never knew you'd love.

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