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Like many of you, a good number of Bassmaster Elite Series anglers are dog lovers. No matter if they’re big, small, fluffy or shorthaired, canines hold a special place in the hearts of some of the tour’s most notable competitors.
Mark Menendez, Steve Kennedy, Carl Jocumsen, Koby Krieger — these and many others make dogs a part of their everyday lives. Some choose to travel with their “best friends,” others leave them with loved ones at home. Either way, the bond is strong between these owners and their four-legged companions.
Hounds on tour
Perhaps the most memorable dog on tour was a yellow Labrador Retriever named “Barkley.” He belonged to longtime pro Mark Menendez, and the two were nearly inseparable.
Barkley was sharp and extremely loyal, and he accompanied Mark on countless fishing trips … even during practice sessions at major events. He was a fixture at many tour stops and even shared the boat with Mark when he led the 2003 Bassmaster Classic after the first day.
Unfortunately, Barkley died a few years ago. His passing left a hole in the lives of Mark and his family. To honor Barkley’s memory, Mark features his image as part of his boat wrap and personal branding. In doing so, he still has Barkley with him every time he’s out on the water.
Koby Krieger also prefers yellow Labs. His new best friend is named “Kota.”
Now 8 months old, Kota is full of energy and curiosity. He’s also amphibious, which is on full display anytime Koby takes him along during practice sessions at our various tour stops. You’ll see him giving Kota breaks throughout the day, to swim and run around on dry ground.
I had the opportunity to spend some time with Koby and his dog during the Cayuga Lake event last season, and it was cool watching them interact. Several of us rented a large house together and Kota was part of the crew … at least until the competition days began, when Koby was forced to put him in a kennel.
After observing the two of them together, there’s no doubt they have developed a strong bond. Their interaction reminded me of our dog at home.
A cracker for Thanksgiving
For 18 years, “Cracker” was a cherished member of our family. She was a poodle mix and weighed a whopping 8 pounds.
We acquired Cracker through our good friend Terry Seagraves — a former Elite pro and fellow Floridian. Terry and a friend were passing through our hometown during the Thanksgiving holidays and wanted to stop by. When they arrived, I noticed a pup in the car and suggested they let it out for a break. That’s when we were told the 4-month-old tiny fur ball was being returned to its original owner. Hearing that, I asked if we could have her instead. From that point on, she was ours.
Our son, Trevor (who was 6 at the time) named her Cracker — because of her blonde, saltine color.
Cracker (or “Cracker Dog” as she was affectionately called) had the best attitude ever. As a pup, she was friendly, playful and smart. She mastered many tricks in her time … some of which were a bit peculiar. Early on, she displayed the strange behavior of slopping water from her water bowl into her food bowl with her nose, then sweeping the floor around her bowl with her wet snout. Then she’d push her food bowl all around the kitchen floor. It was impossibly cute and very entertaining.
As Cracker grew older, her sight and hearing began to fail her. However, something she was never short on, even to the end, was her affection and loyalty. And we miss that about her.
Cracker’s passing has left a great void in our household. Occasionally, our son’s girlfriend will bring her Yorkie named “Maddy” for a visit, which helps. And talk about sharp … that dog trains people. And she loves to fish.
I’m sure at some point we’ll have another dog. And just as it was with Cracker, that dog will come at the perfect time. But, for now, Cracker is still fresh in our minds and hearts … resting in peace in our backyard.
