Monday, October 10, 2022

15. MVP All Betts Are Off, “Mookie,” BLM, Paul Sletten

MVP All Betts Are Off "Mookie"
Lab Male -- 11/5/2020
Sire: FC-AFC Hockley Creek's Switch Hitter
Dam: AFC Izzy Gittin' Bizzy
Breeder: James Horneck
Owner: Kathleen Vignos, Thomasville, GA
Handler: Paul Sletten


Paul and Mookie came to the line at 10:41 am

F – Left of the cedars on the way to a short bird, good job!

L – Right side of the mound, came in right side of the cedars and missed it, 1 loop deep and then back into the bush for the bird.


Questionnaire
Owner Name: Kathy Vignos

Dog Name: Mookie

When did you begin competing in Field Trials? 
2010

What made you decide to compete in Field Trials? 
I did hunt tests for 10 years and wanted more of a challenge for myself and my dogs.

Who are your training partners at home? 
Paul Sletten and Tera Lanczak of Pine Edge Retrievers, Andy Attar and Autumn Run Retrievers, Jake Fredericks of BlueStem Retrievers.

What is the origin of your dog’s name? 
I name my black labs after their sire or bitch, finding a link to a black/African American that relates to the parents. Mookie Betts’s sire is Robbie Bickley’s dog, FC-AFC Hockley Creek’s Switch Hitter.

Tell us an interesting story about your dog.
All I can say is that Mookie is probably the most playful, handsome, lovable lab I’ve ever had.

You and your dog have survived nine series of the National Derby Championship. You are about to come to the line for the 10th series with a chance to be crowned the 2022 National Derby Champion. What song and artist would you want to hear playing as the two of you come to the line? 
“Take Me Out To The Ballgame”