Megan Barnard kisses her 13 year old dog Roxy on the cheek after taking a group photo with all the other competitors at the Ironpaws Dock Diving competition in Hemlock, Michigan on Sept. 13, 2026. Barnard has owned Roxy for … years, and they have been competing in dock diving events for over a decade. Megan Barnard coaxes her dog Roxy with a toy to prepare her for the long jump event at Ironpaws Dock Diving competition in Hemlock, Michigan on Sept. 13, 2026. Since Roxy is 13 years old, it takes a long time to get her ready for each dock diving competition. Roxy swims in the water to get to the end of the pool to complete the speed event at the Ironpaws Dock Diving competition in Hemlock, Michigan on Sept. 13, 2026. Her time was significantly slower than her younger competition. She completed the speed portion with a time of 26.44 seconds according to the United Dock Diving Year End Finals results.Roxy swims back to the dock with a toy in her mouth after completing her first attempt at the speed jump event of the Ironpaws Dock Diving competition in Hemlock, Michigan on Sept. 13, 2026. Her owner Megan Barnard cheers on Roxy with a smile on her face after she finished her first attempt successfully.Roxy gazes into the water in front of her while licking her face before she competes her second attempt at the speed jump of the Ironpaws Dock Diving competition in Hemlock, Michigan on Sept. 13, 2026. During her first attempt at speed jump, she had trouble swimming to the end of the pool. Her owner Megan Barnard decided to put a life jacket on her so she would go across the pool safely, but Roxy did not like the life jacket, so they took it off before she did her second attempt at speed. After significant cheering and persuasion with toys, Roxy finally jumps into the pool for her final attempt at the speed jump at the Ironpaws Dock Diving competition in Hemlock, Michigan on Sept. 13, 2026. Her final result for her second attempt was 40.85 seconds according to the United Dock Diving Year End Finals results, signaling the end of her dock diving career. After over a decade of competing in dock diving competitions, Roxy will finally retire.
Claire Vachon Photography 
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