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Brynnan and Kia help with the contestants Remember to pick your favorite contestant and Vote for the People's Choice Award Winner! Day Eleven Update Day Eleven contests didn't get going until early afternoon, as Tammy had to do a home visit for another group, and then run into 'the office' for a short while before returning to help Rocky with eliminations. By this time in the event most volunteers had gone home, but Chambersburg rep Bob Goodman came up with his dogs to help for the day, for which we were grateful. It was so much to handle with just two people!
The day was hot, humid, muggy, and tempers were starting to flare. No one was having a good time anymore, and arguments broke out surrounding instructions for contests, broken rules by other contestants, and the overall fairness of it all. Tammy and Rocky decided that IF they did this again next year (after forgetting the bad parts for a month or two) that they would NOT do eliminations at all, and just sit the contestants somewhere until they decided to up and leave...it was not worth all the stress, for everyone! The contestants got points based on these six tests: guessing what their blood pressure and pulse would be when the medics got there, two tests on the DDB calendar and rescue dogs, getting a soy dog out of a water bottle and eating it without hands, seeking a DDB button in the grass while blindfolded, and standing on a chair until they couldn't take it anymore. The chair contest didn't start until 8:30 p.m., and went until 4:00 a.m. the next morning. Contestants were told they'd be disqualified for talking, but then Jackie talked on more than one occasion, and was finally disqualified at 4:00 a.m.
A debate then ensued based on whether she should be awarded one point or two as she was disqualified after Aija, and it mattered because if it was only one she would be going home, and if it was two she would go into a tie-breaker with Don. A decision was made that she would receive only one point for ethical reasons, and so she had to go home; this didn't actually occur until the morning of Day Twelve.
She was a real trooper, though, and even though she cried, she didn't hold any grudges, and hung out and talked to everyone for awhile under the pavilion afterward, while waiting for her boyfriend Corey to come and pick her up. What a strong young woman, we're proud of you Jackie!
Day Twelve Update With very little sleep for most contestants and Rocky, we were set to begin the days elimination contests. It was wet and rainy, and everyone was miserable. At one point it rained so hard it ruined some of the raffle items under the tent, as well as damaging some of Tammy's artwork that was on show. It blew so hard it completely turned over one tent and flattened it!
Aija was kicking butt in the third day of competitions, and lead the other two in many of the contests. During the water drinking contest, Don was the only one to finish his gallon, and all three of them threw up much of what they drank.
Tom got a point taken from his day's total for spending too much time in his port-a-john during the rain, and then later Don got a point taken from his daily total for talking to Aija's mom. This forced them to go to a tie-breaker, which was devised by Rocky. He duct-taped a donation container onto the end of a broom...they were to put a soy chip on the broom side, toss it into the air, and try to catch it in the cup on the other end. This proved to be a very close match up, with Don scoring 14 points, and Tom scoring 13 points. Don was therefore declared the winner, and Tom was eliminated and had to go home.
Tom was an incredibly gracious winner, especially given all he'd gone through to get this far (don't forget the peeing incident!) He smiled, laughed, joked, and told all kind of funny stories about his experiences. He also said he wants to come onboard to help next year, and we welcome his help...He had a lot of good ideas as Jacob had, and felt that we needed to have a more 'enforcer' personality onboard. Both he and Don may help us in that capacity as well as others. Remember to pick your favorite contestant and Vote for the People's Choice Award Winner! Contestant Excerpts from Days Eleven and Twelve Follow:
Tom Frank, Day Eleven: Who will go home today? Tracy is coming back today, her presence fills me with adrenaline when my body needs it. I can't believe how strongly she supports me with every decision I make or idea I have in my life. I guessed 94 for pulse because I figured it would naturally be 70-80 right now in the morning, but I could mentally raise it. I didn't know that just be thinking about it I could raise it to the highest its ever been! Tom, Day Twelve: Jackie is gone. She was extremely strong-willed, possibly the strongest person I've ever met. Last night, I witnessed a display of inner strength and courage that I will never forget. Standing in place on our chairs after seven hours, I happened to feel fine, but I could tell Jackie and Don were suffering...I watched her twisting back and forth as if to a timer, trying to shake off her pain and possibly the urge to fall asleep. About every three minutes, she would double over, spitting violently...I'd watch her wipe tears from her face, wonder if this would be the time she would not straighten back up but rather crawl down, only to see her make the decision again and again to push past.
Aija Gillman, Day Eleven: Mmm, sleep, thank you! It rained last night. I was dry and cozy, and the sound of rain was nice. Counting today there are three days left! According to the random passerby, again, the games begin at noon...and we get visiting hours again. Primal strips soy jerky--not so good--but according to the package--it's high in protein. The jerky-chip things are better. Aija, Day Twelve: Well, considering the events of last night, I believe I am the only one who got any sleep. Wow, it's during times like that that you're embarrassed to be the same species. I've decided that after this I definitely want to be an area rep, because after this I consider anyone with a chained dog fair game. (joking.)
Jacqueline Waldroup, Day Eleven: Down to the wire now ladies. Well, one of us won't make it past today. I hope it's not me. I don't know what's going on today, I just hope I can hack it! I don't want to go home. What I want is to win the car.
Don McKendree, Day Eleven: I don't know whether it is the time being chained (but maybe not for some) or just the ultimate prize that when the cat's away the mice will play. Then some it's where family makes remarks around other contestants to try to cause dissension. Don, Day Twelve: We missed last night's entry because we were in our final challenge for the day. What a night--violations in rules, confusion on scores. Tammy and Rocky being firm and consistent with rules at this point did the correct thing. My feet and legs are hurting a bit from standing on them for 8.5 hours. It is so nice to see all the rescued dogs playing with each other, and sometimes on their own. I guess they're just celebrating their freedom! God only knows...but now I can say I KNOW!!!! Being chained is a very lonely, empty feeling that I'm going to try to prevent some furry friends from enduring. P.M. Don't ever try to drink a gallon of water in a fastest to finish competition. I can't believe tomorrow is the final day. Short of rain storms with lightning this chain hasn't been removed. Wow, I almost forgot (almost growing a tail). I met some wonderful people also. Thanks Tammy, Rocky, and a very sweet little girl [Brynnan]. Contest-Day
One/Two & Synopsis, Photos: First to Go Contest-Day
Fourteen & Synopsis, Photos: Event
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