FRANKENMUTH, MI -- The world’s largest Olympic-style festival for dogs returned this year with for a free two-day family event that drew in dog lovers by the thousands.

The Frankenmuth Dog Bowl, located adjacent to the River Place Shops, hosted several competitions for dogs and their owners to participate and even qualify for the DockDogs National Championship in October out west.

The DockDogs were able to participate in six big air wave competitions, an extreme vertical competition and a speed retrieve competition.

Friends and families flooded the Dog Bowl with their man’s best friend at their side as the competitions went on throughout the day.

Several vendors were at the event and offered speciality dog treats, fostering and adoption information and registration for the latest and greatest dog training companies in the state.

For one woman, the event was a means to celebrate and share her story of her beloved boxer Sir George.

Lin Duncan is recovering from a brain tumor removal and George, a boxer, is her service dog.

“He is not my companion, he is my partner,” said Duncan.

Lin Duncan poses for a portrait with her companion Sir George during from the Frankenmuth Dog Bowl in Frankenmuth on Saturday, May 27, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com) Jenifer Veloso

Due to her tumor removal, Duncan has an unsteady gait and falls often. George is able to guide her as she walks and assists her when she falls.

Approximately a year ago their bond grew deeper when George was accidentally hit after running into the road chasing after a foster dog.

George suffered bilateral pneumothorax and an injured leg. He has since undergone therapy and surgery.

Not only does Duncan need George but he needs Duncan, she said.

The Great Lakes Boxer Rescue group helped her financially and emotionally when George was injured.

“They were there for us when nobody else was,” said Duncan.

Great Lakes Boxer Rescue was one of the vendors at the Dog Bowl. They provided shade for George on his day off.

The Dog Bowl will continue to host events throughout the weekend.

Sunday hours 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Monday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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